It was shortly after 5 p.m. today when I noticed blind Tonto wasn't eating his evening grain. Uh oh. In the several years we've had Tonto, I have never seen him not eat. Then, before I could even say "colic," he sank to his knees in the corral. And with that, my heart sank too. I knew he was colicking. We got him up, listened to his heart rate (fast) and took his temperature (normal). I gave him a dose of Banamine, an anti-inflammatory.
But even as we worked on him, Tonto got worse. He tried kicking at his belly. He finally just lay down and rolled over on his side. I called our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor at Blue Mountain Veterinary Hospital in Missoula. She told me to load him up and bring him in, and said she'd go for a run with her dogs while I made the hour-plus drive to the clinic with the horse trailer.
Erin was waiting when I finally arrived with Tonto. First she did a general exam, then a rectal to see what what was going on internally with his intestines. In the photo above, Erin has inserted a tube through Tonto's nose and then down into his stomach. She pumped water in, then siphoned out the contents of his stomach. Also in the photo is vet tech Janet L., who helped Erin with the procedures.
In this photo Erin is preparing a catheter so Tonto can have IV fluids throughout the night. The blue cloth over his face served as a "snort 'n sneeze" shield so we wouldn't get sprayed by Tonto while Erin was pumping the water into his stomach. He was hanging his head low because he'd been sedated for all of this.
We led him out of the horse stock, put him into a stall, and hooked up the IV fluids. It's too soon to say how serious a case of colic he has; we'll have a much better idea tomorrow.
(Click on photos for larger image.)
God be with Tonto and you all. A couple months ago my mare coliced and I had to drive her over 300 miles away to the nearest emergency vet clinic. She ended up having to undergo surgery. She is doing much better now. We pray for the best outcome for Tonto.
Posted by: Matt Jenkins | August 23, 2007 at 06:14 AM
Oh dear Tonto, that procedure made my stomach hurt just reading about it! I hope he's soon feeling much better. Poor guy, you were there at the right time, Steve. Where else would a horse have such watchful & caring eyes taking care of them! You & Alayne are just the greatest! Thank you for getting Tonto to the vet proto, no pun intended.
Big healing hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | August 22, 2007 at 05:29 PM
I wish you a speedy recovery from your colic, Tonto. It's a good thing Steve caught it early. The earlier the better for colic.
Love the "snort'n'sneeze" guard. Can't tell you how many times I've been sneezed on by a horse. It's a special kind of moment!
Posted by: Janet | August 22, 2007 at 08:40 AM
Get well, Tonto!
Posted by: Amy | August 22, 2007 at 07:59 AM
I hope Tonto's Colic was caught at an early stage and isn't too severe; thank goodness you saw his condition early in the evening.
Thank you for being available right away Dr. Taylor and Janet.
Get better soon Tonto!
Posted by: Boundforglory | August 22, 2007 at 07:37 AM
I have always understood that colic in a horse is very serious. Thank goodness you pay such close attention to all of your animals behaviours! Hoping for a speedy recovery for sweet Tonto!
Posted by: Debbie B | August 22, 2007 at 06:00 AM
My gosh...when it rains it pours! Thank you for explaining things so well on this blog. I pray for peace to you both during the many serious medical crises that have risen at RDR.
I continue to do my best to think positive and hold my breath daily when I log in for the blog of the day. Thanks for ALWAYS doing what is in the best interest of God’s creatures.
Posted by: Shirley & James | August 22, 2007 at 12:13 AM