Clinical Factors Associated With Survival Outcomes in Starved Equids: A Retrospective Case Series.

This research article investigates the factors associated with survival rates in undernourished horses, specifically focusing on the first 100 days after medical veterinary evaluation at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. The findings indicate that body condition score (BCS) is a significant predictor of survival, thus highlighting its utility in clinical decision-making.

Research Context

• The article begins by highlighting the prevalence of neglected, starved, or abandoned horses in the United States. These horses significantly suffer from malnutrition, and their recovery process typically includes refeeding programs and extensive veterinary care, which require both time and economic resources.
• The authors perform a retrospective analysis of hospital records to garner a deeper understanding of the survival likelihood of these starved horses, particularly focusing on the initial 100-day period after veterinary evaluation.
• The cases considered in the study had a body condition score (BCS) of 3 or less and were diagnosed as malnourished. The case records from an 11-year period were used in the analysis (a total of 82 cases).

Data Collection and Analysis

• Various factors such as animal descriptors, vital signs, complete blood count data, blood chemistry panels, parasite load, and refeeding diet information were evaluated from the case records.
• The data were subjected to mixed model analyses of variance for testing if response variables differed in horses that lived or died.
• Generalized linear mixed models were used to test factors associated with survival probability 100 days postinitial hospitalization.

Key Findings

• The results showed that body temperature and BCS were significantly lower in horses that died compared to those that survived.
• White blood cells were found to be increased in horses that died compared to those that survived, indicating an immune response.
• A correlation was found between the initial BCS and the probability for survival; the survival likelihood increased 14.6 times for each unit increase in the BCS.

Significance of the Research

• This research emphasizes the relevance of using the BCS as a predictive measure for future horse survival, suggesting its importance for meaningful clinical decision-making.
• A better understanding of the factors influencing survival could help in the development of more effective refeeding and recovery strategies for malnourished horses.