🔁 Vet Insight 2025: Diagnosing and Managing Recurrent Colic in Horses 🐴⚠️

Author: Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Colic is never easy—but when it becomes a repeated problem, it can feel overwhelming. Recurrent colic is defined as three or more colic episodes over a span of a few months. It may stem from digestive issues, systemic disease, or even environmental factors. In this 2025 article, Dr Duncan Houston outlines the most common causes of recurrent colic and how to approach diagnosis and prevention. 🐎📋

🔍 What Is Recurrent Colic?

According to Dr. Amanda House in *The Practitioner*, colic is considered recurrent if:

• ⚠️ Your horse has had three or more episodes in several months
• 🔁 Each episode resolves but then returns

This type of colic is frustrating and difficult to diagnose—and may eventually require surgical investigation. 🧠

🧪 Common Causes of Recurrent Colic

• 🐛 Parasites (especially small strongyles)
• 🧬 Gastric ulcers
• 🪨 Sand accumulation in the gut
• 🧱 Impactions from poor hydration or diet
• 🪙 Enteroliths (mineral stones in the colon)
• 🔥 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

But recurrent colic isn’t always GI-based. Your vet may also consider:

• ⚠️ Reproductive system problems
• 🧪 Liver or kidney disease

🩺 Recommended Diagnostic Workup (2025)

A thorough vet exam should include:

• 📋 Full physical and rectal exam
• 🧪 Bloodwork to assess liver, kidney, and metabolic function
• 💩 Fecal egg count to evaluate parasite load
• 🔬 Abdominal ultrasound to visualize internal organs
• 📷 Gastroscopy to examine the stomach for ulcers
• 🧫 Rectal mucosal biopsy to identify inflammatory syndromes

🧠 When No Cause Is Found

In some cases, all tests may be inconclusive. Still, horses may benefit from:

• 🌿 A diet change—even if the current diet seems to be well-tolerated
• 💧 Improved hydration strategies
• 🧬 Probiotics or gut-supportive feeds

⚠️ All diet changes should be made gradually over several weeks to prevent triggering more colic. 🕒

🧠 Dr Duncan Houston’s Advice

"Recurrent colic is like a mystery—each clue helps narrow the field. Don’t ignore small signs. The earlier you intervene, the better your chances." 🐴🔍

📝 Prevention Tips for Recurrent Colic

• 📆 Keep a colic log with dates, severity, treatment, and possible triggers
• 🌾 Feed high-forage, low-starch diets
• 💧 Ensure constant access to fresh water
• 🪣 Avoid feeding off sandy ground
• 🧂 Use electrolytes or salt to encourage water intake

🔚 Final Thoughts: Persistent, But Not Hopeless

Recurrent colic may be difficult to solve, but it’s not a hopeless case. With a systematic diagnostic approach, gradual changes in diet, and close communication with your vet, many horses experience significant improvement—or resolution altogether. 🐎❤️

Need help troubleshooting recurrent colic? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for personalized guidance. 📱🩺