Pregnant draft horse pulls through colic with help of Equine Medical Center
Jewel has proven she can pull some heavy loads, even while carrying a foal, but she needed some veterinary assistance to pull through a case of colic.
Jewel, a 5-year-old spotted draft mare owned by Meg Enslin of Benchfield Farms in Newville, Pennsylvania, was transported to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in September 2023 for emergency colic treatment when she was six months pregnant.
The EMC in Leesburg, Virginia, is one of three animal health care facilities and teaching hospitals of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, based on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg.
Successful farm pull horse
Jewel is trained to work as a wagon and carriage horse, while also doubling as a farm pull horse. A farm pull horse competes against other horses owned by local farmers during friendly competitions to identify the strongest horse.
After recent successful horse pulls, Jewel began to show signs of colic. She was the third horse on her farm to experience colic signs within the previous month, which led Enslin to worry about a common cause.
After initial evaluation, including blood work and ultrasonography, Jewel was admitted to the EMC's hospital for fluid therapy and close monitoring. However, Jewel's colic signs persisted in the face of treatment, leading to the recommendation for colic surgery.
Enslin was extremely concerned that Jewel's unborn foal might be harmed by the procedure but agreed to go ahead with the surgical option.
"Dr. Marchitello was understanding about our concerns with the cost of the procedure and the stress of the situation we were facing," Enslin said. "She was excellent at providing the best options while keeping in mind the costs associated with each option and was also patient and kind with explanations and options."
Intestinal biopsy
During exploratory surgery, two portions of Jewel's small intestines — the jejunum and duodenum — were distended and filled with fluid. The fluid was manually decompressed into the cecum.
To learn more about Jewel's pathology, and that of her pasture mates, a small intestinal biopsy was obtained for histopathology, or examination of diseased cells by microscope. Incidentally, Jewel's large colon was also found to be displaced. The colon was exteriorized and decompressed before being replaced back into the normal orientation.
After surgery, Jewel was maintained on continuous IV infusions, multimodal analgesia, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, and gastric support. During the first few hours after surgery, Jewel produced large volumes of gastric reflux, which required aggressive IV fluid replacement.
Gastric reflux is the result of intestinal dysfunction impeding the flow of bile and digestive fluids and results in the buildup of fluid within the stomach. Horses, unlike many other species of animals, do not have the ability to vomit, which can result in the stomach rupturing if the gastric reflux is not managed appropriately.
In addition, Jewel displayed post-operative signs of endotoxemia, which can occur when inflammation and/or infection within the bowel leads to leakage of intestinal toxins into the bloodstream. Additional anti-endotoxic therapies, as well as dextrose for nutritional support, were added to Jewel's regimen.
Improvement
Two days after arriving at the EMC, Jewel gradually started to show improvement, and her treatments were slowly reduced. Her lab work was serially monitored to assess hydration status, electrolyte values, and immune function. Small feedings were then introduced, which she tolerated well. Fetal monitoring was also routinely performed, and ultrasound confirmed the baby was active with a normal fetal heart rate.
Biopsy results were later returned as compatible with a gastrointestinal infection. After collecting multiple conversations, data was collected about all farm practices.
"After a thorough history was collected regarding farm practices, a new husbandry plan was instituted including feeding regimens, field maintenance, and deworming schedules to better support the immune systems of various horse populations on the farm," Marchitello said.
Delivery date
When Jewel returned home after an eight-day stay in the hospital, she was comfortable and well-hydrated with a well-healed abdominal incision.
As Jewel's delivery date loomed, Enslin was very concerned for the foal's welfare. But she need not have worried at all — nine days after her due date, Jewel delivered a beautiful, healthy filly foal.
"I look at her and am grateful every day!" said Enslin.
