Equine Colitis Symptoms

Colitis is a form of colic with slightly more specialized symptoms in the advanced stages. Colic is a broad term for equines--used to articulate any abdominal pain--and colitis certainly falls under that definition. Colic is a common problem among horses and ranges from mild to severe (surgery required) cases. Because colitis and colic are so closely similar, you should check with your vet before diagnosing one or the other.

Definition

Equine colitis is the inflammation of the colon. It is also referred to as enteritis, but enteritis is a broader spectrum and can involve the entire intestine. When the colon wall is inflamed, it cannot function properly and looses its ability to filter water from the food passing through the system and can even dump fluids from the blood stream into the forming manure.

Causes

Equine enteritis/colitis is caused by multiple intestinal issues including--but not limited to--salmonella, Potomac Horse Fever, clostridia, sand, high-stress situations and disruption of the bacteria in the colon due to rapid feed changes.

Mild Symptoms

Mild colitis symptoms mimic those of colic: pacing, frequent lying and rising, losing interest in food or water, lying for extended periods of time, repeated turning of head toward the flank, standing quietly in the back of the stall and ignoring interaction with humans and other horses.
Not all of these symptoms may be apparent, but if three or more are present, you should check for colic, and possibly, for colitis.

Moderate Symptoms

Moderate symptoms can also be confused with colic and can include more vigorous versions of the earlier symptoms as well as sweating along the neck and shoulders, painful rolling, stretching out as if to urinate and pawing.
Not all of these symptoms may be present and, depending on the horse, can indicate mild to much more serious levels of pain (consider whether your horse is good with pain or a bit of a coward when faced with pain), and any symptom has varying degrees of urgency.

Severe Symptoms

Severe symptoms may indicate impending death, and you should consult your veterinarian immediately if you have not done so already.
Severe symptoms include bloody and frequent diarrhea; reflux (a back flow of intestinal contents into the stomach diagnosed by a gastrointestinal tube placed by your vet); severe sweating; thrashing or violent rolling; slow capillary refill time (to check capillary refill time press your finger against the horse's gums briefly and count how long it takes the pink color to return once you remove your finger--normal refill time is 1 to 2 seconds); dehydration; symptoms of shock (rapid breathing, quivering, weak pulse, pale and sticky gums and extremities feel cold, which denotes poor blood circulation).

Prevention

Avoid feeding on sand; sand in the intestine is a common cause of colic and colitis as it irritates the bowel (colon) walls.
Change food patterns slowly. Sudden changes to food consumption throw off the delicate balance of microbes and bacteria in the gut.
Keep high-stress situations as low key as possible. High-stress situations include breeding, trailering, showing or any changes to your horses daily patterns. High-stress situations are well-known for throwing off the bacterial balance in the gut.
Always check with your vet if you are unsure. Even the most fool-proof practices are no match for the sneaky little intruder of colitis.

Warning

You should never try to treat/diagnose colitis without first referencing your vet. Passing a gastrointestinal tube can damage the linings along the intestinal tract and should not be attempted without veterinarian observation.
You should always call your vet if you have valid reason to believe your horse has colic or colitis, as the sooner it is diagnosed, the better the chances are the horse will survive.
Bear in mind that all horses are different, and some symptoms may not apply and may be part of the horses character.