Please share your experience with colic surgery

NotTodayJose · 2023-05-23T07:48:21+00:00

Having a nightmare. My lovely horse is in hospital for colic with colon displacement. The bizarre thing is, after a horrific first 5 hours, she's responded so well to medical management that she literally has no symptoms now BUT her colon is still ultimately displaced. So the vets want to give her a little longer trying medical but I'm preparing myself for surgery as possibility as I'm struggling to see how the colon will just magically put itself back into place. For those who did have surgery- what was your outcome, how did you afford it, how did you find the rehab process? Feeling very overwhelmed whether it is the right thing to do especially as it will literally wipe out our savings. DH is not at all happy. But I can't imagine life without my girl.

countrygirl99 · 23/05/2023 08:56

Mine fixed itself without surgery when the vet was quite pessimistic as it was very displaced. They were literally on their way back to pts when he did the most thunderous fart which was the start of his recovery. Thank god it was the middle of the night and they were 45 minutes away or he wouldn't be here. I decided against surgery as he was 24 and was already on box rest after eye surgery. So can't help but I hope it goes well for you.

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 23/05/2023 10:21

countrygirl99 · 23/05/2023 08:56

Mine fixed itself without surgery when the vet was quite pessimistic as it was very displaced. They were literally on their way back to pts when he did the most thunderous fart which was the start of his recovery. Thank god it was the middle of the night and they were 45 minutes away or he wouldn't be here. I decided against surgery as he was 24 and was already on box rest after eye surgery. So can't help but I hope it goes well for you.

Thank you that's positive. She's in hospital anyway and is passing gas / poos so maybe it can still move itself.

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countrygirl99 · 23/05/2023 10:35

We walked mine round the school for hours. In the rain. At night. End of February. Never has a fart sounded so good!

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 23/05/2023 12:33

Without wishing to be negative at a difficult time when I was a groom I saw several horses die on the table and their owners still be left with an enourmous bill.
Personally I wouldn’t put a horse through anything needing GA after that experience but appreciate it’s a personal and difficult issue. Best of luck OP. I hope she comes round

countrygirl99 · 23/05/2023 15:48

How is your horse OP?

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 23/05/2023 19:48

countrygirl99 · 23/05/2023 15:48

How is your horse OP?

Hi thank you for thinking of us, she seems to have turned a corner and is doing incredibly well - vets are amazed! So fingers crossed, but still being cautious as only just reintroducing food so could still take a turn for worse, the colon isn't quite back in place yet.

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countrygirl99 · 23/05/2023 19:57

🤞

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 23/05/2023 20:33

Great news! It’s horrible isn’t it. I’ve danced around the yard like it’s 2am in a nightclub when mine have had a poo before now. Fingers crossed for you

EverestMilton · 23/05/2023 21:33

Mine had surgery last year for displacement colic. He was very distressed and in a lot of pain. By the time I left him at hospital he'd gone from throwing himself around like a lunatic and savaging everyone to just lying there given up. It was surgery or PTS. He was only 6. It was hideously expensive even with insurance covering some of it. The rehab was even worse and stressful.
But he survived and I survived. There was a lot of sedalin and even more gin consumed. Right now 6 months on and he's perfect. We're back out competing and jumping. I'm glad I did it. I'm very, very twitchy about the grass now though. He's currently in during day and had the grazing muzzle of doom on at night. I just hope he doesn't have another attack because that would be the end.

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 23/05/2023 21:44

EverestMilton · 23/05/2023 21:33

Mine had surgery last year for displacement colic. He was very distressed and in a lot of pain. By the time I left him at hospital he'd gone from throwing himself around like a lunatic and savaging everyone to just lying there given up. It was surgery or PTS. He was only 6. It was hideously expensive even with insurance covering some of it. The rehab was even worse and stressful.
But he survived and I survived. There was a lot of sedalin and even more gin consumed. Right now 6 months on and he's perfect. We're back out competing and jumping. I'm glad I did it. I'm very, very twitchy about the grass now though. He's currently in during day and had the grazing muzzle of doom on at night. I just hope he doesn't have another attack because that would be the end.

I'm massively hoping I can avoid surgery, not least because mine really isn't good in a stable and I'm on part livery, will really struggle to do round the clock checks with my work. But we shall see what happens. Re: grass - do you always have to use a muzzle now for any grazing?

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EverestMilton · 23/05/2023 21:54

NotTodayJose · 23/05/2023 21:44

I'm massively hoping I can avoid surgery, not least because mine really isn't good in a stable and I'm on part livery, will really struggle to do round the clock checks with my work. But we shall see what happens. Re: grass - do you always have to use a muzzle now for any grazing?

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I had to put him on full rehab livery for first 6 weeks as I just couldn't cope with him at home on my own. He developed an odema and had to be walked 3 times a day. He is normally lovely and saintly but we had a bit of groom savaging and kite flying.....hence drugs for everyone!
I have only slapped the muzzle on this week. Wet winter decimated the grass and it's been a slow spring so no issues until now. The grass has suddenly just gone poof now it's warmer and I'm a bit paranoid about him pigging out on it. Typical greedy cob 🤦 It's going to be spring and autumn I'll have to be careful. He's going to be stabled now for 8 hours min per day all year round.

Floralnomad · 24/05/2023 11:09

How is your horse doing today @NotTodayJose ?

Moanranger · 24/05/2023 16:04

I had colic surgery on horse. He did not survive. It was awful & I would never do it again. In your place, I would try every non-surgical treatment. Have you considered putting him in a really bouncy horse box and driving down a bumpy road. I am not kidding, that can help put colon back where it belongs.
My surgery & vet costs were over £8k plus horse was insured for his purchase price, also 8k. Would rather have the horse.

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 24/05/2023 18:27

Floralnomad · 24/05/2023 11:09

How is your horse doing today @NotTodayJose ?

Optimistic may be able to come home in a couple of days! I cannot believe it, and neither can vets, based on how bad she was when she went in. Not a foggy clue what to feed her when she comes out to try and prevent this happening again (not that we even know what caused it).

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countrygirl99 · 24/05/2023 19:16

Great news.

twistyizzy · 24/05/2023 19:19

Good news for your horse OP but I would personally never put a horse through surgery. I've never known a horse to be right afterwards ie constant repeat episodes etc. Obviously lot of factors are at play eg age etc but several friends have gone down the surgery route every single horse has re-lapsed and they are constantly walking on eggshells with regards to the management of the horse.
My current horse would never cope with the rehabilitation regime either so for him it is a definite no and the vets know this.

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 24/05/2023 19:41

twistyizzy · 24/05/2023 19:19

Good news for your horse OP but I would personally never put a horse through surgery. I've never known a horse to be right afterwards ie constant repeat episodes etc. Obviously lot of factors are at play eg age etc but several friends have gone down the surgery route every single horse has re-lapsed and they are constantly walking on eggshells with regards to the management of the horse.
My current horse would never cope with the rehabilitation regime either so for him it is a definite no and the vets know this.

How about horses that have got better with medical management, do they have really high relapse too? I hope not :(

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Floralnomad · 24/05/2023 19:48

That’s good news , I hope she gets well soon and stays well .

idsisatwat · 24/05/2023 20:05

Hope your horse is doing ok @NotTodayJose .

My horse got colic in November- she was really bad and I’d signed the consent forms for surgery as she’d ended up being taken to the vets. They managed it “manually “(I think that’s how they phrased it!). Lots of walking, a few internals to try and feel where everything was. Medication to shrink the spleen, as that would give more room for her colon to return to its original place.
She was at the vets from Saturday evening until Wednesday, and seems to have been ok since. I’m a bit paranoid about every little twitch, but, fingers crossed, she’s ok. She’s my first horse and I’d only bought her in July, so all very nerve wracking!

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 24/05/2023 20:10

idsisatwat · 24/05/2023 20:05

Hope your horse is doing ok @NotTodayJose .

My horse got colic in November- she was really bad and I’d signed the consent forms for surgery as she’d ended up being taken to the vets. They managed it “manually “(I think that’s how they phrased it!). Lots of walking, a few internals to try and feel where everything was. Medication to shrink the spleen, as that would give more room for her colon to return to its original place.
She was at the vets from Saturday evening until Wednesday, and seems to have been ok since. I’m a bit paranoid about every little twitch, but, fingers crossed, she’s ok. She’s my first horse and I’d only bought her in July, so all very nerve wracking!

Sounds really similar to what they've done with mine @idsisatwat I'm glad your horse is OK. What things did you have to do to help manage her after she came home?

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idsisatwat · 24/05/2023 20:34

Making sure she has her feed at regular times. Also splitting her feed: it’s the same quantity but split into morning & evening feeds. They also advised to introduce any changes to routine slowly. Ad an example, if going in the field an hour a day initially, and increase gradually to see she’s ok.

when the new spring grass came, she was put out for an hour or so initially- which was great fun trying to get an over 17hh horse back in after an hour😂

We did lots of in hand walking, before I started riding her again.

EverestMilton · 24/05/2023 20:54

NotTodayJose · 24/05/2023 18:27

Optimistic may be able to come home in a couple of days! I cannot believe it, and neither can vets, based on how bad she was when she went in. Not a foggy clue what to feed her when she comes out to try and prevent this happening again (not that we even know what caused it).

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If it makes you feel better there might not be any cause. With mine it was likely change in gut flora brought about by changing seasons and a flush of rich grass due to rain after a summer of drought. He just decided to be a bit more piggy than usual that particular night and boom one inflated pony. Every other horse eating exactly the same sort of grass in 1km radius was perfectly fine......
I would take advice from your vet but I would limit the grazing/grass intake for next week or so. If she doesn't like the stable could you create a mini paddock and extend it in strips or yard for her to be in? It's such a bloody nightmare.

Original poster

NotTodayJose · 24/05/2023 22:26

EverestMilton · 24/05/2023 20:54

If it makes you feel better there might not be any cause. With mine it was likely change in gut flora brought about by changing seasons and a flush of rich grass due to rain after a summer of drought. He just decided to be a bit more piggy than usual that particular night and boom one inflated pony. Every other horse eating exactly the same sort of grass in 1km radius was perfectly fine......
I would take advice from your vet but I would limit the grazing/grass intake for next week or so. If she doesn't like the stable could you create a mini paddock and extend it in strips or yard for her to be in? It's such a bloody nightmare.

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We do have a laminitis paddock she could go in for a week - very small with very little grass. Are they usually OK to go straight onto ad lib hay when they come out?

OP posts:

EverestMilton · 24/05/2023 22:34

NotTodayJose · 24/05/2023 22:26

We do have a laminitis paddock she could go in for a week - very small with very little grass. Are they usually OK to go straight onto ad lib hay when they come out?

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Again I would ask your vet. End of the day they are horses they still need to eat pretty much constantly. If they feel starved that's when they are likely to gorge so I always think ad lib is best. My boy came out of hospital onto ad lib hay and was fine. You could always us a small hole net or double net it to slow her down a bit until you see how she's fairing.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 30/05/2023 16:37

twistyizzy · 24/05/2023 19:19

Good news for your horse OP but I would personally never put a horse through surgery. I've never known a horse to be right afterwards ie constant repeat episodes etc. Obviously lot of factors are at play eg age etc but several friends have gone down the surgery route every single horse has re-lapsed and they are constantly walking on eggshells with regards to the management of the horse.
My current horse would never cope with the rehabilitation regime either so for him it is a definite no and the vets know this.

My sister's horse had colic surgery for a displaced colon at six and similarly he had further episodes and she lost him about nine months later due to another severe episode having never got him back to full work. It was incredibly stressful and she is still very anxious about any changes in grass/feed/routine.