Apache Update Sunday Morning

Just got off the phone with Dr. Ballard at Desert Pines, Apache is making progress. Her impaction is about 1/3 of the size that it was and she is passing small piles of manure. We are going to let the IV fluids finish today and see how she is, they can do boluses of water through her stomach tube to help keep her hydrated if needed. She is actully feeling pretty comfortable. I will keep everyone updated.

With all colics, quick care is of the upmost importance. Some low level colics can be treated at the ranch with Banamine, a pain killer which helps with abdominal pain and then careful observance. The most aggrssive treatment though is usually the best, that is why we usually end up bringing the horses into the vet clinic. With a bad colic, like a big impaction, even minutes can turn a colic into a fatal one. One of the first things is to get the horse hydrated, either by a stomach tube which is passed through one of the nostrils, or the more aggressive IV Fluids. Shiloh almost always goes with the IV Fluids- that way we are doing everything we can from the first moment. This has saved horses like Soot in the past, and now Apache. It is more expensive, IV Fluids can start at about $1000.00, but we feel they are worth it as we know we are doing everything that the vet recommends and giving the horse every chance we can. Colic surgeries can start at $6,000 and go up to $15,000 so it is obviously not always an option we, and many others, can afford.