Chronic Spasmodic Colic in a Thoroughbred Gelding: Field-Based Emergency Management Case

A 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (~500 kg) from a riding school in Chattogram presented with recurrent colic (third episode in 2 years). The current episode escalated rapidly within an hour¹. 

Clinical Presentation 

Onset signs were first noted at 16:45 h with progression by 17:45 h¹: 

• Severe abdominal discomfort  

• Repeated pawing and rolling  

• Bruxism (teeth grinding on sand and hard surfaces)  

• Anorexia (refusal of feed and water intake)  

• Mild green fodder intake only  

• Normal feces passed twice initially, followed by reduced urination  

• Rectal temperature: 102°F  

• Marked dehydration (sunken supraorbital fossa)  

• Abdominal spasms with persistent restlessness  

• No respiratory distress observed  

Based on recurrence and spasmodic signs, it was diagnosed as chronic spasmodic colic 

Therapeutic Interventions (Time-Based Emergency Protocol) 

Early Stabilization (17:30–18:00 h) 

• Omeprazole injection (0.8 mg/kg IV) 
  → To reduce gastric acidity and prevent gas-related irritation  

• 7.5% Sodium bicarbonate (100 ml IV) 
  → Acid neutralization and supportive gastric correction  

• Tiemonium methyl sulfate (0.08 mg/kg IV) 
  → Control of intestinal smooth muscle spasm  

 Pain Control & Ongoing Spasm Management (21:00–23:00 h) 

• Flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg IV) 
  → Effective visceral analgesia  

• Second dose of tiemonium methyl sulfate (2300 h) due to recurrent pawing episodes  

Fluid Therapy & Dehydration Correction 

• Normal saline: 4000 ml IV (2300 h) via jugular vein  

• Intermittent controlled movement allowed to promote gas expulsion  

• Oral water initially refused  

 Sedation & Recovery Phase 

• Diazepam (0.04 mg/kg IV at ~0100 h) 
  → Sedation achieved, reduced stress response  

• Within 2 hours: spontaneous intake of ~3 L water  

 Refeeding & Gut Restoration 

• 0400 h: Mixed ration (concentrate + green fodder) offered 
  → Intake: ~2.5 kg  

• No recurrence of colic signs thereafter  

• Fecal odor abnormal initially but normalized gradually  

Antimicrobial/GI Support 

• Secnidazole 14 mg/kg PO for 3 days 
  → Addressed suspected anaerobic gut imbalance  

 Clinical Outcome 

• Pain resolved within hours of intervention  

• Vital signs normalized progressively:  

• Temperature: 102°F → 99.6°F (normal range restored)  

• Heart rate: 85 bpm → normal  

• Respiration: ~35 bpm → stabilized  

• Hydration and feed intake improved steadily:  

• Water intake: 0.25 L → 3 L  

• Feed intake: 2.5 kg → 3.5 kg  

No recurrence of colic signs during observation period. 

Clinical Insights 

This case highlights a recurrent spasmodic colic pattern in a performance horse with acute exacerbation. 

Key Pathophysiological Findings¹ 

• Dehydration likely secondary to enterotoxemic shock and reduced intake  

• Abdominal pain driven by intestinal smooth muscle spasm  

• Gas accumulation and gastric irritation contributed to recurrence  

Therapeutic Rationale^1,2 

• Flunixin meglumine provided reliable visceral analgesia (consistent with Radostits et al., 2007; Gitari et al., 2017)  

• Omeprazole + sodium bicarbonate supported gastric protection and acid neutralization  

• Tiemonium methyl sulfate effectively controlled spasmodic episodes  

• Fluid therapy was critical in reversing dehydration and improving gut motility  

• Sedation (diazepam) helped break the pain–stress cycle, improving voluntary drinking and recovery  

Clinical Takeaway for Practitioners 

Recurrent colic in athletic horses should prompt consideration of underlying chronic gastrointestinal hypersensitivity, as repeated episodes often indicate a persistent functional or management-related predisposition rather than isolated acute events. In such cases, early initiation of multimodal therapy is critical, combining effective visceral analgesia, antispasmodic agents, fluid therapy, and gastric protection to address the multiple pathophysiological components simultaneously. Controlled movement under supervision can also be beneficial in selected cases, as it may facilitate gas clearance and help reduce abdominal discomfort. Additionally, sedation can serve as a useful adjunct in horses with refractory agitation, not only improving handler safety but also breaking the pain–stress cycle and supporting overall stabilization. 

References  

1. Borsha RP, Hasan M, Zabbar MA. Chronic spasmodic colic management in a thoroughbred horse: A case report from Bangladesh. Open Veterinary Journal. 2026 Jan 5;15(12):6801. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.58   

2. Gitari A, Nguhiu J, Varma V, Mogoa E. Occurrence, treatment protocols, and outcomes of colic in horses within Nairobi County, Kenya. Veterinary World. 2017 Oct 22;10(10):1255. https://veterinaryworld.org/Vol.10/October-2017/15.pdf