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<<<<<Susan and Milam gang;
Sand by itself has never caused colic. That's not to say that sand has
been a problem in the management of the cause of colic.The cause of
colic where sand has been attributed tobe the cause is usually lack of
grazing (fiber) whereby the horse is picking out even the most
microscopic roots which are in the sand. Most commonly these horses are
stabled in restricted areas and fed too much grain. This feeding program
leads to over digestion dur to the lack of fiber in the gut. Since the
horse is a simple stomach animal(like you)they have to have fiber so has
to produce enough bacteria to help digest the available diets. When too
much grain is fed in the absence of roughage the bacteria over digest
the grain producing alchols( drunk),consequently, the gut stops and
colic is the end result. This colic is translated in medical terms to be
a gaseous or impaction problem to the Veterinarian.
Sand became the nemesis after the Veterinarian pulled his gloved hand
out of the rectum and demonstrated the presence of sand in the feces.
In later years as intestinal surgery became plausible,it was found that
in most all intestinal surgery cases there existed a certain amount of
sand with no deleterious effect. Today,colic cases should be treated by
reversing the metabolic problems that effect the motility of the gut and
not mineral oiling to break down the impaction.( If there is no movement
is the gut how can the mineral oil move through the gut.) There is no
telling how many horses could have saved had we(veterinarians) been
educated as to the metabolic disparities existing in these cases.
So, in modern Veterinary literature you will not find sand on the list
of differential diagnosis as a primary cause of colic.
Carl Meyer,D.V.M.>>>>>
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