What is Colic?
Colic is a generic term applied to babies who exhibit uncontrollable crying for more than three hours a day and at least three days a week. There is no single cause of colic and therefore, no single cure. There are a few major theories about the likely causes: baby has an immature nervous system and is having difficulty adjusting to the enormous amount of stimuli present outside of Mom’s body; gas pains caused by milk allergies; and digestive difficulties due to an underdeveloped digestive system. Most babies will fall under the first category, partially or fully. It has been proven that proper swaddling soothes and calms colicky babies by mimicking the sensation of being in the womb, which imparts feelings of comfort and security.
It is a stomachache. The primary cause of this pain is distention of the stomach or intestine, which may be due to an accumulation of gas, fluid or feed caused by a blockage or improper movement of the gut. Your vet should be called as soon as colic is suspected, hay and feed should be removed and the horse left alone, unless it is so violent as to be in danger of injuring itself, in which case it should be walked and kept warm.
