HORSES AND DONKEYS AND MULES · OWNER EDUCATION
Colic in Equines
Colic means abdominal pain, not one disease; some causes are mild while others require immediate surgery.
THE SHORT VERSION
Understanding supports better veterinary conversations.
Colic means abdominal pain, not one disease; some causes are mild while others require immediate surgery. Similar signs can have very different causes, so the animal's species, husbandry, examination findings and diagnostic results all matter.
What is this condition?
Colic means abdominal pain, not one disease; some causes are mild while others require immediate surgery. Similar signs can have very different causes, so the animal's species, husbandry, examination findings and diagnostic results all matter.
Which animals can be affected?
Risk factors, examination findings and management can differ between species and individual patients.
Why can it happen?
- Gas, impaction, intestinal displacement, inflammation or obstruction.
- Diet, water intake, parasites, dental disease and other factors may contribute.
What might an owner notice?
- Pawing, looking at the flank, rolling or repeated lying down.
- Reduced manure, poor appetite, sweating or unusual quietness—especially in donkeys.
How is the problem investigated?
- Physical examination, heart rate, gut sounds and rectal examination when appropriate.
- Nasogastric intubation, ultrasound, laboratory work or abdominal fluid analysis.
What might treatment involve?
- Pain control and fluids with treatment directed at the cause.
- Urgent referral and surgery when obstruction or compromised intestine is suspected.
This is an overview, not a prescription or a recommendation for a specific individual animal.
What can owners do at home?
- Record appetite, water intake, waste output, activity, breathing and body weight when it is safe to do so.
- Photograph the enclosure, food labels or flock environment and bring a concise timeline to the veterinary visit.
- Follow the veterinarian's exact instructions for medication, feeding, isolation, rechecks and environmental correction.
Avoid actions that could make care less safe.
- Do not give human medication, leftover antibiotics, livestock medication or another animal's treatment without veterinary direction.
- Do not force-feed an animal that is struggling to breathe, cannot swallow, is severely weak or may have an obstruction.
- Do not delay care when appetite, breathing, urination, movement or responsiveness changes rapidly.
What can the longer-term outlook involve?
The outlook varies with the cause, severity, how quickly care begins and whether the animal's environment or nutrition can be corrected.
Can risk be reduced?
- Provide species-appropriate nutrition, housing, sanitation and preventive veterinary care.
- Learn the individual's normal appetite, behavior, body condition and waste pattern so change is recognized early.
When should you arrange care?
- Contact a veterinarian promptly for pawing, looking at the flank, rolling or repeated lying down. or reduced manure, poor appetite, sweating or unusual quietness—especially in donkeys..
- Arrange reassessment if signs recur, treatment is not working or another animal becomes affected.
Seek emergency veterinary care if you notice:
SEEK EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE- Persistent or severe pain, repeated rolling, high heart rate, abnormal gums, collapse or worsening despite medication.
Sources behind this guide
VeterinaryPartner — client education from the Veterinary Information NetworkPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗American Association of Equine Practitioners: horse-owner resourcesPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗Content last reviewed: September 17, 2026. Review status: veterinary-informed; independent veterinarian review not yet completed.