Flatulent Colic (Tympanitic Colic, Wind Colic or Bloat)
Among the most frequent causes of this form of colic are to be mentioned sudden changes of food, too long fasting, food thengiven while the animal is exhausted, new hay or grain, large quantities of green food, food that has lain in the manger for some time and become sour, indigestible food, irregular teeth, crib-biting, and, in fact, anything that produces indigestion may produce flatulent colic.
The symptoms of wind colic are not so suddenly developed not so severe as those of cramp colic. At first the horse is noticed to be dull, paws slightly, and may or may not lie down. The pains from the start are continuous. The belly enlarges, and by striking it in front of the haunches a drumlike sound results. If not soon relieved the above symptoms are aggravated, and in addition there are noticed difficult breathing, bloodshot eyes, and red mucous membranes, loud tumultuous heart beat, profuse perspiration, trembling of front legs, sighing respiration, staggering from side to side, and, finally, plunging forward dead. The diagnostic symptoms of flatulent colic is the distention of the bowels with gas, detected by the bloated appearance and resonance on percussion.