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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2020; 35(1); 532-537; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15979

Clinical and biochemical factors associated with survival in equids attacked by dogs: 28 cases (2008-2016).

Abstract: Trauma from dog attacks has been associated with mortality rates as high as 23% in some species. However, the prognosis and clinical features of this type of injury have not been described in equids. Objective: To describe survival rate, signalment, clinical features, and biochemical results in equids presented for emergency care after presumed dog attacks. We hypothesized there would be differences between survivors and nonsurvivors. Methods: A total of 28 equids presented for presumed dog attacks from 3 referral centers. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data from 3 hospitals between 2008 and 2016. Survival was defined as survival at 14 days postdischarge. Variables were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors using a t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: Overall mortality rate was 21%. Ponies and miniature horses represented 16/28 (57%) of the animals in the study. Full-sized equids had a lower risk of nonsurvival as compared to smaller patients (odds ratio = 0.02; 95% confidence intervals = 0.00-0.27; P < .005). Animals with lower body temperatures had increased risk for nonsurvival (P = .0004). Increased admission blood lactate concentrations (P = .003) and decreased serum total protein concentrations (P = .006) were associated with nonsurvival. Conclusions: The mortality rate in equids attacked by dogs was similar to what is reported for other veterinary species. Smaller equids and those with increased admission blood lactate concentration, lower body temperature, and lower total serum protein concentrations were less likely to survive.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-04 PubMed ID: 33274807PubMed Central: PMC7848301DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15979Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the factors related to survival rates in horses and similar animals (equids) that have been attacked by dogs, revealing a 21% mortality rate. Among the factors that were found to affect the survival rate of equids are size, body temperature, blood lactate level, and serum total protein concentrations.

Study Methodology

  • The study was retrospective in nature and was conducted using data gathered from three different referral centers between 2008 and 2016.
  • A total of 28 equids that had been presented for treatment as a result of presumed dog attacks were included in the study.
  • Survival, for the purpose of this study, was defined as a patient still being alive 14 days post-discharge after the attack.
  • Different statistical methods, including the t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Fisher’s exact test, were used where appropriate to compare variables between survivors and nonsurvivors.

Study Findings

  • The overall mortality rate for equids after being attacked by dogs was found to be 21%.
  • In the population of the study, ponies and miniature horses represented 57% of the total animals.
  • Larger equids were found to have a lower risk of not surviving compared to smaller ones, suggesting size might play a role in survival.
  • Animals that presented with lower body temperatures upon admission showed an increased risk for not surviving the attack.
  • Increased admission blood lactate concentrations and decreased serum total protein concentrations were both also found to be associated with nonsurvival.

Concluding Remarks

  • The mortality rate in equids that have been attacked by dogs was found to be on par with what has been reported for other species in veterinary studies.
  • The study provides new information that smaller equids, and those with increased blood lactate concentrations, lower body temperature, and decreased serum total protein concentrations are less likely to survive following a dog attack.

Cite This Article

APA
Fielding CL, Mayer JR, Dechant JE, Epstein KL, Magdesian KG. (2020). Clinical and biochemical factors associated with survival in equids attacked by dogs: 28 cases (2008-2016). J Vet Intern Med, 35(1), 532-537. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15979

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 1
Pages: 532-537

Researcher Affiliations

Fielding, C Langdon
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Mayer, Jennifer R
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Dechant, Julie E
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Epstein, Kira L
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Magdesian, K Gary
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Aftercare
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases
  • Dogs
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Patient Discharge
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Giraldo AF, Carballo R, Serrenho RC, Tran V, Valverde A, Renaud DL, Gomez DE. Association of the type of metabolic acidosis and non-survival of horses with colitis. Can Vet J 2023 Nov;64(11):1044-1050.
    pubmed: 37915775
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