Find out how SPANA vets in Morocco treated a horse suffering from an excruciating case of colic.
Markab the horse pulls a cart for his owner, Fouad, around the city of Khemisset, in northern Morocco. The 14-year-old horse helps Fouad earn a small income.
Fouad rushed Markab to SPANA’s veterinary centre in Khemisset when he became seriously concerned for his horse’s health. Poor Markab kept lying down and was refusing to eat or drink.
Our vets gave Markab a full physical examination and asked Fouad lots of questions about his horse’s diet. They diagnosed Markab with colic – excruciating abdominal pain caused by a blockage in his large intestines.
The vets set about treating the horse immediately. As Markab was severely dehydrated, the vets placed him on a drip so that he could receive intravenous fluids. They also administered anti-inflammatories for the pain and anti-spasmodics to ease his stomach cramps. Next, our vets administered water and liquid paraffin via a tube fed from Markab’s nose into his stomach. This procedure would soften the blockage and encourage Markab to pass it out of his body naturally.
When the blockage had passed and Markab’s condition had improved, our vets carefully rasped his teeth, which had overgrown in an uneven way and had some sharp points. Horses’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, but if their teeth do not wear down evenly, it can be difficult for them to grind their food properly – which can lead to malnutrition and colic. Markab was then gradually given increasing amounts of feed and water.
When Markab was well enough to return home, our vets gave Fouad lots of advice about improving his horse’s diet and ensuring that his teeth were checked regularly to help avoid colic in future.
Fouad was very grateful for SPANA’s help. He said: ‘Thank you, SPANA. I earn my living thanks to Markab.’
Colic can be deadly without treatment. Your continued support enables our vets to provide seriously ill working animals like Markab the professional care and attention they so desperately need. Thank you so much for transforming the lives of working animals.
