Abstract: This study describes the clinicopathological findings, diagnostic approach, treatment, and factors associated with non-survival of diarrheic horses admitted to 4 Canadian university teaching hospitals between 2015 and 2019. A total of 300 horses, ≥1-year-old, with acute diarrhea were included and represented 1.6% (300/18 481; range: 0.7 to 3%) of admissions during that period, 70% of the horses survived to discharge. Testing for enteropathogens was limited to a single fecal culture for Salmonella spp. in most cases. An enteropathogen was identified in 14% (42/300) of the horses, but in the hospital with higher testing rates enteropathogens were detected in 29% (16/55) of cases. Neorickettsia risticii was the pathogen most frequently detected (31%, 32/102). Antimicrobial drugs and plasma were administered to 57 and 8% of the cases, respectively. Laminitis occurred in 24/298 (8%) of the horses. A multivariable regression model identified an association between non-survival of diarrheic horses and colic signs, increased heart rate, packed cell volume, creatinine concentration, and decreased total protein concentration. A standardized approach for pathogen detection in diarrheic horses is not consistent among Canadian veterinary teaching hospitals, and testing for known pathogens is limited. Signs of colic, severe dehydration, endotoxemia, and hypoproteinemia are associated with non-survival of diarrheic horses. Diarrhée aiguë chez le cheval : une étude rétrospective canadienne multicentrique (2015 à 2019). Cette étude décrit les résultats clinicopathologiques, l’approche diagnostique, le traitement et les facteurs associés à la non-survie de chevaux diarrhéiques admis dans quatre hôpitaux universitaires canadiens entre 2015 et 2019. Un total de 300 chevaux, ≥1 an, atteints de diarrhée aiguë ont été inclus et représentaient 1,6 % (300/18 481; intervalle : 0,7 à 3 %) des admissions au cours de cette période. Soixante-dix pourcents des chevaux ont survécu jusqu’à leur congé. La recherche d’agents entéropathogènes était limitée à une seule culture fécale pour Salmonella spp. dans la plupart des cas. Un agent entéropathogène a été identifié chez 14 % (42/300) des chevaux, mais à l’hôpital avec des taux de dépistage plus élevés, des agents entéropathogènes ont été détectés dans 29 % (16/55) des cas. Neorickettsia risticii était l’agent pathogène le plus fréquemment détecté (31 %, 32/102). Des médicaments antimicrobiens et du plasma ont été administrés respectivement à 57 et 8 % des cas. Une fourbure est survenue chez 24/298 (8 %) des chevaux. Un modèle de régression multivarié a identifié une association entre la non-survie des chevaux diarrhéiques et les signes de coliques, l’augmentation de la fréquence cardiaque, l’hématocrite, la concentration de créatinine et la diminution de la concentration totale de protéines. Une approche normalisée pour la détection des agents pathogènes chez les chevaux diarrhéiques n’est pas uniforme dans les hôpitaux d’enseignement vétérinaires canadiens, et les tests pour les agents pathogènes connus sont limités. Des signes de coliques, de déshydratation sévère, d’endotoxémie et d’hypoprotéinémie sont associés à la non-survie des chevaux diarrhéiques.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
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This research study reviews the clinic findings, diagnosis, treatment, and factors influencing survival rates of horses admitted with acute diarrhea to four Canadian teaching hospitals from 2015 to 2019.
Research Study Overview
The study represents a comprehensive review of cases from four Canadian university teaching hospitals, analyzing data from 300 horses suffering from acute diarrhea, which constituted 1.6% of total admissions during the period from 2015 to 2019.
Overall, 70% of these affected horses survived to discharge, demonstrating a significant survival rate despite the condition.
Finding and Treatment
Examination for enteropathogens (pathogens that cause gastrointestinal diseases) was predominantly done through a single fecal culture test. An enteropathogen was detected in about 14% of the cases; however, in the hospital with a higher testing rate, the enteropathogen detection rate was as high as 29%.
The most commonly detected enteropathogen was found in 31% of tested cases.
It was observed that antimicrobial drugs were used as a primary mode of treatment in approximately 57% of cases, while plasma was administered in 8% of cases.
Interestingly, 8% of the horses developed laminitis, a serious disease that affects the feet of hoofed animals during the course of the treatment.
Association with Non-Survival
A multivariable regression model was developed to identify factors that had a direct association with non-survival in the horses. The model showed that signs of colic, an increased heart rate, increased packed cell volume, heightened creatinine concentration, and decreased total protein concentration were significantly associated with non-survival in diarrheic horses.
This suggests that while the horses were admitted for acute diarrhea, other co-morbid conditions or clinicopathological factors significantly impacted their survival chances.
Limitations and Inferences
The study also noted that there is no consistent approach for pathogen detection in diarrheic horses among the Canadian veterinary teaching hospitals. The utilization of tests to detect known pathogens seems to be limited.
Based on the findings, key factors associated with the non-survival outcome include signs of colic, intense dehydration, endotoxemia (toxins present in the bloodstream), and hypoproteinemia (abnormally low levels of protein in the blood).
Cite This Article
APA
Gomez DE, Leclere M, Arroyo LG, Li L, John E, Afonso T, Payette F, Darby S.
(2022).
Acute diarrhea in horses: A multicenter Canadian retrospective study (2015 to 2019).
Can Vet J, 63(10), 1033-1042.
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
Leclere, Mathilde
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
Arroyo, Luis G
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
Li, Lynna
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
John, Emily
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
Afonso, Tiago
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
Payette, Flavie
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
Darby, Shannon
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Gomez, Arroyo, Li); Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada (Leclere, Payette). Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (John); Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Afonso). Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, Salado, Texas, USA (Darby).
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