Association between cribbing and entrapment of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen in horses: 68 cases (1991-2002).

The research is about the potential connection between the behavioral issue of cribbing in horses and a specific type of intestinal entrapment, specifically epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE). The findings suggest that horses with a history of cribbing are significantly more likely to experience EFE than those without such a history.

Research Methodology and Sample

• The research used a retrospective study design and was based on examining 68 horses at two veterinary teaching hospitals – University of Illinois and University of Liverpool.
• Information about the horses and their history of cribbing was collected in two different ways. For the University of Illinois sample, researchers reached out to the owners via telephone calls. They specifically inquired about the horses that underwent surgery for strangulating small intestine lesions. At the University of Liverpool, the data was collected using preoperative questionnaires provided to the owners of horses that had surgery for colic for any reason.

Research Findings

• The study found that 13 out of 19 horses (approximately 68%) with EFE at the University of Illinois had a history of cribbing. This was in contrast to only 2 of 34 horses (roughly 6%) with other types of strangulating small intestine lesions.
• Analogous results were observed at the University of Liverpool. There, 49% of horses with EFE were found to have a history of cribbing, compared to a much lower rate of 10.5% for horses with other types of colic lesions.
• The odds ratio calculated offers a quantitative measure of the association between cribbing and EFE in horses. At the University of Illinois, the odds ratio was extremely high (34.7), while at the University of Liverpool it was 8.2.

Conclusions

• The research concludes with the suggestion that there is a significant correlation between cribbing behavior in horses and EFE – a type of small intestine entrapment. Horses with a history of cribbing were found to be substantially more likely to have EFE compared to those with no such behavior history.

Relevance of this research lies in its potential to assist in the diagnosis and treatment approach for horses exhibiting cribbing behavior, especially in managing the risk of EFE in such cases.