Case control study to identify risk factors for simple colonic obstruction and distension colic in horses.

The research study aimed to identify risk factors that contribute to simple colonic obstruction and distension (SCOD), a type of colic, in horses. The research found that certain behaviors and conditions, including crib-biting or windsucking, increased hours spent in a stable, recent changes to regular exercise programs, no deworming in the past year, and recent travel, significantly increase a horse’s risk of developing SCOD.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted a case control study, which is an observational study design that examines the relationship between a particular outcome (in this case SCOD) and a wide range of potential risk factors.
• The case horses, i.e. horses with SCOD, were recruited from two veterinary school clinics. Control horses were population-based and matched by the time of year to minimize any seasonal influences on the results.
• The research considered a broad range of potential risk factors, such as exercise and breeding information, housing and pasture details, feeding information, behavior, travel history, preventive medicine information, and previous medical history.
• The researchers performed both univariable and multivariable analyses on these factors. Univariable analysis examines each potential risk factor separately, whereas multivariable analysis takes into account the interactions between different risk factors.

Results

• According to the multivariable model, five risk factors were associated with a significantly increased risk of SCOD: crib-biting or windsucking, increasing hours spent in a stable, recent changes in exercise programs, not receiving an ivermectin or moxidectin anthelmintic (a type of deworming drug) in the previous 12 months and having travelled in the last 24 hours. These behaviours and conditions may stress the horse, disrupt its routine or expose it to new physiological challenges, increasing the likelihood of SCOD.
• An alternative model, derived from a backward elimination method, added three more risk factors: a recent move to a new stable, history of colic and infrequent dental checks/treatments. This analysis technique begins with all potential risk factors and progressively removes those with the least significant associations, leading to a different, but equally valid, set of significant predictors.
• Three of these risk factors (24-hour stabling, crib-biting/windsucking, and recent travel) were associated with a substantial increase in SCOD risk, implying they are particularly important to avoid in horse care to prevent SCOD.

Conclusions

• The researchers’ findings provide valuable insights into the risk factors for SCOD in horses. This knowledge can inform better horse-care practices and preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of SCOD.
• By understanding these risk factors, horse owners, trainers and vets can mitigate these risks by providing appropriate care, such as stable management, exercise routines, feeding schedules, medical treatments and travel considerations.