Uterine tears often occur a few days post parturition. They can lead to peritonitis and require surgical intervention to fix. Uterine torsions can occur in the third trimester, and while some cases may be corrected if the horse in anesthetized and rolled, others require surgical correction.

Strictly speaking, colic refers only to signs originating from the gastrointestinal tract of the horse. Signs of colic may be caused by problems other than the GI-tract e.g. problems in the liver, ovaries, spleen, urogenital system, testicular torsion, pleuritis, and pleuropneumonia. Diseases which sometimes cause symptoms which appear similar to colic include uterine contractions, laminitis, and exertional rhabdomyolysis. Colic pain secondary to kidney disease is rare.

Colic (from Greek κολικός "kolikos", "relative to the colon") or cholic is a form of pain that starts and stops abruptly. It occurs due to muscular contractions of a hollow tube (colon, ureter, gall bladder, etc.) in an attempt to relieve an obstruction by forcing content out. It may be accompanied by vomiting and sweating. Types include:

- Baby colic, a condition, usually in infants, characterized by incessant crying

- Renal colic, a pain in the flank, characteristic of kidney stones

- Biliary colic, blockage by a gallstone of the common bile duct or cystic duct

- Horse colic, a potentially fatal condition experienced by horses, caused by intestinal displacement or blockage

- Devon colic, an affliction caused by lead poisoning

- Painter's colic or lead poisoning

Colic is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week for a three-week duration in an otherwise healthy child between the ages of two weeks and four months. By contrast, infants normally cry an average of just over two hours a day, with the duration peaking at six weeks. With colic, periods of crying most commonly happen in the evening and for no obvious reason. Associated symptoms may include legs pulled up to the stomach, a flushed face, clenched hands, and a wrinkled brow. The cry is often high pitched (piercing).

Pain is the most common presenting symptom. It is usually described as sharp right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the right shoulder, or less commonly, behind the breastbone. Nausea and vomiting can be associated with biliary colic. Individuals may also present with pain that is induced following a fatty meal and the symptom of indigestion. The pain often lasts longer than 30 minutes, up to a few hours.

Patients usually have normal vital signs with biliary colic, whereas patients with cholecystitis are usually febrile and more ill appearing. Lab studies that should be ordered include a complete blood count, liver function tests and lipase. In biliary colic, lab findings are usually within normal limits. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase are usually suggestive of liver disease whereas elevation of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase suggests common bile duct obstruction. Pancreatitis should be considered if the lipase value is elevated; gallstone disease is the major cause of pancreatitis.

Biliary colic, also known as a gallbladder attack or gallstone attack, is when pain occurs due to a gallstone temporarily blocking the bile duct. Typically, the pain is in the right upper part of the abdomen, and it can radiate to the shoulder. Pain usually lasts from one to a few hours. Often, it occurs after eating a heavy meal, or during the night. Repeated attacks are common.

Gallstone formation occurs from the precipitation of crystals that aggregate to form stones. The most common form is cholesterol gallstones. Other forms include calcium, bilirubin, pigment, and mixed gallstones. Other conditions that produce similar symptoms include appendicitis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Treatment for gallbladder attacks is typically surgery to remove the gallbladder. This can be either done through small incisions or through a single larger incision. Open surgery through a larger incision is associated with more complications than surgery through small incisions. Surgery is typically done under general anesthesia. In those who are unable to have surgery, medication to try to dissolve the stones or shock wave lithotripsy may be tried. , it is not clear whether surgery is indicated for everyone with biliary colic.

In the developed world, 10-15% of adults have gallstones. Of those with gallstones, biliary colic occurs in 1–4% each year. Nearly 30% of people have further problems related to gallstones in the year following an attack. About 15% of people with biliary colic eventually develop inflammation of the gallbladder if not treated. Other complications include inflammation of the pancreas.

An infant with colic may affect family stability and be a cause of short-term anxiety or depression in the father and mother. It may also contribute to exhaustion and stress in the parents.

Persistent infant crying has been associated with severe marital discord, postpartum depression, early termination of breastfeeding, frequent visits to doctors, and a quadrupling of excessive laboratory tests and prescription of medication for acid reflux. Babies with colic may be exposed to abuse, especially shaken baby syndrome.

Symptoms of ileus include, but are not limited to:

- moderate, diffuse abdominal discomfort

- constipation

- abdominal distension

- nausea/vomiting, especially after meals

- vomiting of bilious fluid

- lack of bowel movement and/or flatulence

- excessive belching

Acute abdomen is occasionally used synonymously with peritonitis. While this is not entirely incorrect, peritonitis is the more specific term, referring to inflammation of the peritoneum. It manifests on physical examination as rebound tenderness, or pain upon "removal" of pressure more than on "application" of pressure to the abdomen. Peritonitis may result from several of the above diseases, notably appendicitis and pancreatitis. While rebound tenderness is commonly associated with peritonitis, the most specific finding is rigidity.

Most people with gallstones do not have symptoms. When a gallstone lodges in the cystic duct, they experience biliary colic. Biliary colic is abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant or epigastric region. It is episodic, occurs after eating greasy or fatty foods, and leads to nausea and/or vomiting. People who suffer from cholecystitis most commonly have symptoms of biliary colic before developing cholecystitis. The pain becomes more severe and constant in cholecystitis. Nausea is common and vomiting occurs in 75% of people with cholecystitis. In addition to abdominal pain, right shoulder pain can be present.

On physical examination, fever is common. A gallbladder with cholecystitis is almost always tender to touch. Because of the inflammation, its size can be felt from the outside of the body in 25–50% of people with cholecystitis. Pain with deep inspiration leading to termination of the breath while pressing on the right upper quadrant of the abdomen usually causes pain (Murphy's sign). Murphy's sign is sensitive, but not specific for cholecystitis. Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) may occur but is often mild. Severe jaundice suggests another cause of symptoms such as choledocholithiasis. People who are old, have diabetes, chronic illness, or who are immunocompromised may have vague symptoms that may not include fever or localized tenderness.

The differential diagnoses of acute abdomen include but are not limited to:

1. Acute appendicitis

2. Acute peptic ulcer and its complications

3. Acute cholecystitis

4. Acute pancreatitis

5. Acute intestinal ischemia (see section below)

6. Acute diverticulitis

7. Ectopic pregnancy with tubal rupture

8. Ovarian torsion

9. Acute peritonitis (including hollow viscus perforation)

10. Acute ureteric colic

11. Bowel volvulus

12. Bowel obstruction

13. Acute pyelonephritis

14. Adrenal crisis

15. Biliary colic

16. Abdominal aortic aneurysm

17. Familial Mediterranean fever

18. Hemoperitoneum

19. Ruptured spleen

20. Kidney stone

21. Sickle cell anaemia

Decreased propulsive ability may be broadly classified as caused either by bowel obstruction or intestinal atony or paralysis. However, instances with symptoms and signs of a bowel obstruction occur, but with the absence of a mechanical obstruction, mainly in acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, Ogilvie's syndrome.

A number of complications may occur from cholecystitis if not detected early or properly treated. Signs of complications include high fever, shock and jaundice. Complications include the following:

- Gangrene

- Gallbladder rupture

- Empyema

- Fistula formation and gallstone ileus

- Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses

Clinical features of intestinal pseudo-obstruction can include abdominal pain, nausea, severe distension, vomiting, dysphagia, diarrhea and constipation, depending upon the part of the gastrointestinal tract involved. In addition, in the moments in which abdominal colic occurs, an abdominal x-ray shows intestinal air fluid level. All of these features are also similar in true mechanical obstruction of the bowel.

Usually the patient has abdominal distention, pain and altered bowel movements. There may also be nausea and vomiting.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a clinical syndrome caused by severe impairment in the ability of the intestines to push food through. It is characterized by the signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction without any lesion in the intestinal lumen. Clinical features can include abdominal pain, nausea, severe distension, vomiting, dysphagia, diarrhea and constipation, depending upon the part of the gastrointestinal tract involved. The condition can begin at any age and it can be a primary condition (idiopathic or inherited) or caused by another disease (secondary).

It can be chronic or acute.

Biliary sludge may cause complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, acute cholangitis, and acute pancreatitis.

Biliary sludge refers to a viscous mixture of small particles derived from bile. These sediments consist of cholesterol crystals, calcium salts, calcium bilirubinate, mucin, and other materials.

Ogilvie syndrome is the acute dilation of the colon in the absence of any mechanical obstruction in severely ill patients.

Colonic pseudo-obstruction is characterized by massive dilatation of the cecum (diameter > 10 cm) and right colon on abdominal X-ray. It is a type of megacolon, sometimes referred to as "acute megacolon", to distinguish it from toxic megacolon.

The condition carries the name of the British surgeon Sir (1887–1971), who first reported it in 1948.

Presentation can be atypical with no pain or fever especially in the elderly population. Hepatolithiasis may present with biliary colic, acute pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice and less commonly, hepatomegaly and abnormal liver chemistry. Chronic biliary obstruction may cause jaundice, pruritus, liver abscess, and liver atrophy, mostly affecting the left lobe and the left lateral segment of the liver, and eventually secondary biliary cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma.

Terms such as "functional colonic disease" (or "functional bowel disorder") refer in medicine to a group of bowel disorders which are characterised by chronic abdominal complaints without a structural or biochemical cause that could explain symptoms. Other "functional" disorders relate to other aspects of the process of digestion.

The consensus review process of meetings and publications organised by the Rome Foundation, known as the Rome process, has helped to define the functional gastrointestinal disorders. Successively, the Rome I, Rome II, Rome III and Rome IV proposed consensual classification system and terminology, as recommended by the Rome Coordinating Committee. These now include classifications appropriate for adults, children and neonates / toddlers.

The current Rome IV classification, published in 2016, is as follows:

A. Esophageal Disorders

- A1. Functional chest pain

- A2. Functional heartburn

- A3. Reflux hypersensitivity

- A4. Globus

- A5. Functional dysphagia

B. Gastroduodenal Disorders

- B1. Functional dyspepsia

- B1a. Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS)

- B1b. Epigastric pain syndrome (EPS)

- B2. Belching disorders

- B2a. Excessive supragastric belching

- B2b. Excessive gastric belching

- B3. Nausea and vomiting disorders

- B3a. Chronic nausea vomiting syndrome (CNVS}

- B3b. Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)

- B3c. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)

- B4. Rumination syndrome

C. Bowel Disorders

- C1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

- IBS with predominant constipation (IBS-C)

- IBS with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D)

- IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)

- IBS unclassified (IBS-U)

- C2. Functional constipation

- C3. Functional diarrhea

- C4. Functional abdominal bloating/distension

- C5. Unspecified functional bowel disorder

- C6. Opioid-induced constipation

D. Centrally Mediated Disorders of Gastrointestinal Pain

- D1. Centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome (CAPS)

- D2. Narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS)/ Opioid-induced GI hyperalgesia

E. Gallbladder and Sphincter of Oddi disorders

- E1. Biliary pain

- E1a. Functional gallbladder disorder

- E1b. Functional biliary sphincter of Oddi disorder

- E2. Functional pancreatic sphincter of Oddi disorder

F. Anorectal Disorders

- F1. Fecal incontinence

- F2. Functional anorectal pain

- F2a. Levator ani syndrome

- F2b. Unspecified functional anorectal pain

- F2c. Proctalgia fugax

- F3. Functional defecation disorders

- F3a. Inadequate defecatory propulsion

- F3b. Dyssynergic defecation

G. Childhood Functional GI Disorders: Neonate/Toddler

- G1. Infant regurgitation

- G2. Rumination syndrome

- G3. Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)

- G4. Infant colic

- G5. Functional diarrhea

- G6. Infant dyschezia

- G7. Functional constipation

H. Childhood Functional GI Disorders: Child/Adolescent

- H1. Functional nausea and vomiting disorders

- H1a. Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)

- H1b. Functional nausea and functional vomiting

- H1b1. Functional nausea

- H1b2. Functional vomiting

- H1c. Rumination syndrome

- H1d. Aerophagia

- H2. Functional abdominal pain disorders

- H2a. Functional dyspepsia

- H2a1. Postprandial distress syndrome

- H2a2. Epigastric pain syndrome

- H2b. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

- H2c. Abdominal migraine

- H2d. Functional abdominal pain ‒ NOS

- H3. Functional defecation disorders

- H3a. Functional constipation

- H3b. Nonretentive fecal incontinence

Suppurative cholangitis, liver abscess, empyema of the gallbladder, acute pancreatitis, thrombophlebitis of hepatic or portal veins, and septicemia are acute complications of the disease, to which patients may succumb during the acute attacks.

Chronically, complications include cholangiocarcinoma and intraductal papillary neoplasm.

Biliary dyskinesia is a disorder of some component of biliary part of the digestive system in which bile physically can not move normally in the proper direction through the tubular biliary tract. It most commonly involves abnormal biliary tract peristalsis muscular coordination within the gallbladder in response to dietary stimulation of that organ to squirt the liquid bile through the common bile duct into the duodenum. Ineffective peristaltic contraction of that structure produces postprandial (after meals) right upper abdominal pain (cholecystodynia) and almost no other problem. When the dyskinesia is localized at the biliary outlet into the duodenum just as increased tonus of that outlet sphincter of Oddi, the backed-up bile can cause pancreatic injury with abdominal pain more toward the upper left side. In general, biliary dyskinesia is the disturbance in the coordination of peristaltic contraction of the biliary ducts, and/or reduction in the speed of emptying of the biliary tree into the duodenum.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) include a number of separate idiopathic disorders which affect different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and involve visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gastrointestinal motility.

Renal colic typically begins in the flank and often radiates to the hypochondrium (the part of the anterior abdominal wall below the costal margins) or the groin. It is typically colicky (comes in waves) due to ureteric peristalsis, but may be constant. It is often described as one of the strongest pain sensations known.

Although this condition can be very painful, kidney stones usually cause no permanent physical damage. The experience is said to be traumatizing due to pain, and the experience of passing blood, blood clots, and pieces of the stone. Depending on the sufferer's situation, nothing more than drinking significant amounts of water may be called for; in other instances, surgery may be needed. Preventive treatment can be instituted to minimize the likelihood of recurrence.