Why is my older horse colicking with dark urine and no poop?

Question

Hi, we have a horse who is in his late 20s. Has been seen by the vet at least 5 times during the past 2 weeks. Started off as colic symptoms rolling, sweating etc. vet treated for colic responded quite well to pain relief, next day vet required again horse pawing at ground looking underneath itself. Hasn't passed feaces, does drink but urine is like a dark brown colour. Nibbles at various things. vet have scanned bladder, and internal exam. Nothing obvious. Any ideas? Pet's info: Farm Animal | Horse | Male | neutered

Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC · Accepted Answer

Colic is a symptom of disease that typically occurs secondary to gastrointestinal disease. The primary concerns are displacement, strangulation or impaction. In a patient with colic and pigmenturia (discolored urine), you have to determine if the horse has kidney injury secondary to colic or if it is a separate disease process. If your veterinarian has ruled out displacement, strangulation and/impaction, a toxicosis could be considered. In the US, this can be seen with blister beedle toxicosis secondary to the horse ingesting blister beetles in the hay. The third possibility could be some for of myopathy or rhadomylosis (muscle breakdown). If Kinny is not passing feces, he may have an impaction. You should contact your veterinarian immediately to discuss repeat diagnostics including rectal exam, abdominal ultrasound, belly tap, and fecal exam (looking for parasites).

Why is my older horse colicking with dark urine and no poop?

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