We have another exciting article from our essential oil guru, Melanie. I have to say that I am particularly excited about this one as just last week we treated one of Linda’s collicing horses with these EO’s and resolved the issue within five minutes! Plus, these are all oils that I use on myself daily. If you are interested in extra tips on how to teat yourself with these three oils, send me or Mel a message.
Getting through Colic with Essential Oils
Excerpts from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida’s ‘A Horse Owner’s Guide to Colic’:
The USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System published the results of a 1998 study on equine colic. They determined that the incidence of colic was 4.2 events for every 100 horses per year.
What is Colic? Colic is a symptom of disease, but is not actually a disease itself. Colic is defined as any abdominal pain and can come from any abdominal organ, not just the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal discomfort from liver or kidney disease will sometimes cause signs of colic.
The signs of colic can vary from mild to severe. Mild, early signs of colic can include a poor appetite, decreased manure production, lip curling, depression, or laying down more than normal. The most common signs associated with colic include pawing, stretching out, flank watching, teeth grinding, bloated abdomen, kicking at the abdomen, rolling, and getting up and down. It is critical for owners and care takers to know what is normal for their horses, so that abnormal behaviors can be recognized as soon as possible.
Causes of colic can be divided into three general areas: intestinal dysfunction, intestinal accidents, and inflammation or ulceration of the intestine. The most common types of colic are intestinal dysfunctions; which include gas colic, spasmodic colic, and impaction colic. Gas colic typically occurs due to gas build up in the large colon or cecum. Gas stretches the intestine and causes pain. Spasmodic colic results from increased contractions, or spasms, in the wall of the intestine.
[Traditional] Treatment for colic depends on the suspected cause. Pain medication such as Banamine® is typically indicated for initial management. Banamine® usually takes about 30 minutes to take effect, so sedatives such as xylazine and detomidine can help relieve pain while the Banamine® begins working.
Enter: a more natural, organic method for treating colic; essential oils.
There are only 3 Young Living Essential Oils recommended for horse owners when dealing with a colicing horse:
1. Peace & Calming – your natural alternative to sedatives (for you AND your horse)
2. DiGize – aids in soothing the digestive/intestinal tract
3. Peppermint – also aids in soothing the digestive/intestinal tract
Di-Gize contains Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli.
Colic, in varying degrees, is inevitably with horse. Be sure to have at least one bottle of each oil stocked in your barn kit, or close by, at all times.
COLIC PROTOCOL
1. place 3 or more drops of Peace & Calming onto the muzzle area of the horse and onto the belly; owner applies Peace & Calming all over themselves, anywhere they can get it!
2. call your Veterinarian, especially if this if your first time dealing with colic, and/or treating colic with essential oils
3. administer ~20 drops of Di-Gize followed by ~20 drops of Peppermint orally, either by dropping the oils onto the inside of the bottom lip or by syringe with water and the oils
4. next apply 20 drops of Di-Gize to the abdomen, in the location near the umbilicus. Then, apply 20 drops of Peppermint to the abdomen in the same location
5. repeat the calming, oral, and topical applications every 20 minutes until symptoms have improved, or until the veterinarian arrives
Disclaimer: All of the information provided here is intended for educational purposes, and for use with Young Living Essential Oils ONLY. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in your area of concern if you or your pets have a health challenge.
If you have any questions or want to know more about essential oils, give me a shout! Melanie at melanie@lustforwellness.com or visit www.lustforwellness.com.
resources:
University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine ‘Horse Owners Guide to Colic’
http://extension.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2011/10/Horse-Owners-Guide-to-Colic.pdf
Melissa Shelton, Holistic DVM, ‘Colic in Horses – Essential Oils for Natural Treatment’