Aetiology or causal factors associated with include parasite burden, ingestion of foreign materials, trauma, congenital problems, enteritis, the early stages of salmonella can cause colic symptoms, tympanic colic (gut distension with gas - usually the caecum or colon), intestinal ulceration, neoplasia, stress, inadequate water supply or failure to drink, spasmodic colic, colonic impactions, poor feeding practice (rapid diet change) and grass sickness