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18 - PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2000 Entirely Equestrian Ask the Expert with Dr. Peter Brouwer Question: This morning | took some of my horses to a local fair to be shown. One of my colts developed severe colic about an hour after arrival: he was kicking at himself and rolling quite a bit so we walked him for a while. We gave him some intramuscu- lar painkillers already. He appears to have improved a little bit but at times he is still very uncomfortable What else can we use to treat him? Answer: The owner was still walk- ing the colt when | arrived and the first thing that | noticed was the severely dis- tended abdomen on both the left and right side. The colt was not in as much dis- comfort as he was earlier, so obviously the painkiller (Ftunixin-Meglumine) that was given earlier was start- ing to take effect. However, a fairly large quantity of the drug had been adminis- tered, so the colt could pres- ent himself better while his condition still deteriorated internally. The amount of painkiller should always be calculated carefully so it pro- vides enough relief without masking the condition of the horse. Remember that in some severe cases of colic, suppressing the pain alone is not enough to cure the condition. On the physical examina- tion of the animal, the body temperature was normal but the heart rate was substan- tially elevated. The lung sounds were increased and the capillary refill time (CRT) of the mucosal membranes was very slow. As expected, there were large gas pockets "to be heard on both sides of the abdomen. For the last hour, the colt had just passed small quantities of soft stools. Unfortunately, as the colt was too small for a rectal examination, there was no way | could tell which part of the bowel was dilated so badly. However, based on my findings, | knew that this animal was in serious trou- ble. It definitely did not look like an every day spasmodic colic that responds well to just pain control. | suspect- ed a twist in the large intes- 'tine, but could not be sure. In my opinion it is crucial at this stage of the condition to discuss with the owner the prognosis of the animal if it indeed turns out to be a twist or other serious obstruction of the bowel. Most of these conditions will only recover when cor- rected surgically The suc- cess rate of the surgery varies with the type of the condition, the severity of it and the length of time the condition has existed. The sooner the surgery is per- formed after the onset of the colic, the better the out- come. tf the value, economical and/or emotional, of the horse is high enough that the option of abdominal sur- gery is considered, then: no time should be wasted in a case like this trying to treat the animal on the farm. In our territory, the closest facility that will perform abdominal surgery on hors- es is the University of Guelph. The owner decided that the value of the colt was much less than the cost of the surgery, so he made the decision not to take him to Guelph | therefore continued the treatment at the fair grounds and passed a stomach tube to administer a mixture of mineral oil and an anti-gas product. | instructed the owner that this treatment might have to be repeated several times and that euthanasia should be seri- ously considered if the con- dition of this colt continued to deteriorate. Unfortun- ately, this client travelled to the exhibition from outside our practice territory, so | never heard what the final outcome of this case was. USED CHILDREN'S RIDING It'll be Feb. 19 at the Island Hall Winter dance/game night planned for this weekend The Port s-- : Feb. 16 at P 7:30 p.m. at N or ' in : Scugog SUS Home will be island Choir holding a | | practice will rummage Ll be held on sale on & 3 Thursday, Friday, Feb. " Sl Feb. 17at7 2 fram. 10 Ee a) Dan. a.m.to2 p.m. . A winter Good donations would be appreciated. For more information call 985-3205. Scugog Island United Church The Stewards will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at S.1.U.C. The Moms and Tots will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m. at S.1.U.C. The Needs and Assessment Committee will meet on Wednesday, dance/game night is planned for Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Island Hall. Bring munchies, pop or juice, CDs, cards, games and dancing shoes. All ages welcome. Come on out and have some fun. S.1.U.C.'s annual meet- ing will be held on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. Call 985-8871 with news for next week's column. PORT PERRY Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist Round Pen Reasoning for Horse and Handler Tack and Blanket Repair 905-985-9975 E-mail: darrin.bradley@sympatico.ca LAURI BRADLEY CLOTHES, JACKETS, HATS, BOOTS AND PANTS Jor consignment sale Used Riding Apparel for Sale & Consignment "Offering blanket i pais cleanin TWICE AROUND TACK 43 Brock St., West, Uxbridge, Ont. LIP 1P5 852-1866 \ ~ - Stouffville Branch 905-640-1550 "1-800-355-2168 Kentucky Show Time CO-OP STOUFFVILLE CO-OP FEEDS QUALITY PERFORMANCE FEEDS 12% Protein & 14% Protein Corn Oil Added Chelated Minerals and Yeast Very Palatable and Consistent » Tack Shop and Supplies Great Prices, Good Selection Everything for the horse and Horse Owner Uxbridge Branch 905-852-3321 1-800-355-2972 Photo Finish cell:(905)440-5809 N/E corner of Taunton Rd. & 57 ENTRANCE IS OFF OF TAUNZION ROAD MAH ATA PrLE CUSTOM SERVICE 005-404-8213 e 3M Scotchguard e Broadloom I * Upholstery 125" ¢ Loose Rugs Durham Steam : Clean 985-8552 852-6711 Laura Mark, 5 «in. B Ed. BHs< PT Brian and Evelyn Mark are pleased to | finally announce the graduation of their daughter Laura, from her Bachelor of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy from McMaster University. She is currendy working at The Niagara Peninsula Children' Centre in St. Catharines as a paediatric therapist. Congratulations on your success! Brian and Evelyn Mark of Port Perry are proud to announce the marriage of their daughter, Laura to Mark, the son of Michael and Patricia Doyle of Sunridge. The wedding took place on November 20, 1999 at St. Mark's Church in Niagara-on-the- Lake, followed by a reception at The Pillar and E Post Inn. Many thanks to the bridal party- Matron of Honour - Kimberly Thompson, Tara Dolan, Gayle Cazalet, Corinne Harris, flower girl Jennifer Harris, Best Man - 'Todd Scisinski, Robert Finlay, Michael Doyle, ring bearers Matthew and Michael Doyle, and Laura's brothers Neil, Sandy & Colin Mark. A special thank you to guests who flew in from Newfoundland, California, Missouri and B.C. The happy couple recently bought a home and will reside in Westdale, Hamilton. Thank-you to everyone for their love and support on this special day.