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Equine veterinary journal2015; 48(2); 182-187; doi: 10.1111/evj.12355

Clinical features and management of equine post operative ileus: Survey of diplomates of the European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS).

Abstract: There is a need for an improved understanding of equine post operative ileus (POI), in terms of both clinical definition and optimal management. Although the pharmacological strategies that are used to treat POI continue to evolve, little is known about the supplementary strategies used to prevent and manage this condition. Objective: To report the current strategies used to diagnose, prevent and manage POI following emergency abdominal surgeries. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: An electronic survey invitation was sent by email to 306 European college diplomates (European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine, ECEIM n = 120, and Veterinary Surgeons, ECVS n = 186). Results: The response rate was 33% (100 of 306). The median reported estimated incidence of POI was 10-20%. The presence of reflux on nasogastric intubation was the main criterion used to define POI. Lesions involving the small intestine were thought to be the leading risk factors for developing POI. Anti-inflammatory drugs, antimicrobial drugs and i.v. fluids were the primary preventative strategies when managing cases at high risk for POI. Flunixin meglumine and lidocaine were the drugs most commonly used to treat horses with POI. Supplementary preventative and treatment strategies for POI included control of endotoxaemia, fluid therapy, early ambulation and judicious timing of post operative feeding. Conclusions: Appreciation of the potential risk factors associated with the development of POI appeared to have an impact on the choice of management strategies that are implemented. The majority of ECEIM and ECVS Diplomates in the survey used flunixin meglumine and lidocaine, often in combination, to treat horses with POI, which is likely to reflect the contributory role of inflammation in its pathophysiology. Various supplementary strategies were used to prevent and manage POI risk factors intraoperatively and post operatively.
© 2015 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2015-01-12 PubMed ID: 25256601DOI: 10.1111/evj.12355Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The study focuses on understanding the clinical approach and treatment strategies used in dealing with equine post operative ileus (POI), a health issue affecting horses post-surgery, as reported by diplomates from the European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS).

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey, which was sent out electronically to 306 European college diplomates. These included 120 from the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and 186 from the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS).
  • The response rate for the survey was 33%, which represents 100 responses from the total invited participants.

Findings of the Study

  • It was found that the median estimated incidence rate of POI was between 10 to 20%.
  • The main criterion for diagnosing POI was determined to be the presence of reflux when nasogastric intubation was carried out.
  • Risk factors leading to POI were identified as lesions involving the horse’s small intestine.
  • As preventive measures, vets commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs, antimicrobial drugs, and intravenous fluids when managing horses that have high risk for POI.
  • The drugs mostly used to treat horses with POI were flunixin meglumine and lidocaine.
  • Additional strategies that were majorly employed for the prevention and treatment of POI included the control of endotoxemia, fluid therapy, encouraging early movement (ambulation) post-surgery, and carefully managing the timing of feeding after the operation.

Conclusions Drawn from the Survey

  • An understanding of potential risk factors associated with developing POI was found to significantly influence the choice of management strategies.
  • Flunixin meglumine and lidocaine were majorly used by most ECEIM and ECVS Diplomates for treating horses with POI, indicating the considerable role inflammation plays in the condition’s pathophysiology.
  • Various other supplementary strategies were identified to be in use to control and manage POI risk factors both during and after the operation.

Cite This Article

APA
Lefebvre D, Pirie RS, Handel IG, Tremaine WH, Hudson NP. (2015). Clinical features and management of equine post operative ileus: Survey of diplomates of the European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). Equine Vet J, 48(2), 182-187. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12355

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 2
Pages: 182-187

Researcher Affiliations

Lefebvre, D
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Pirie, R S
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Handel, I G
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Tremaine, W H
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK.
Hudson, N P H
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Colic / surgery
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Data Collection
  • Europe
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / etiology
  • Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / therapy
  • Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / veterinary
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Veterinarians

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11060241pubmed: 38921988google scholar: lookup
  2. Rockow M, Griffenhagen G, Landolt G, Hendrickson D, Pezzanite L. The Effects of Antimicrobial Protocols and Other Perioperative Factors on Postoperative Complications in Horses Undergoing Celiotomy: A Retrospective Analysis, 2008-2021. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 19;13(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13223573pubmed: 38003189google scholar: lookup
  3. Byrne CA, Hotchkiss JW, Barakzai SZ. Variations in the application of equine prosthetic laryngoplasty: A survey of 128 equine surgeons. Vet Surg 2023 Feb;52(2):209-220.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13913pubmed: 36420588google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.714800pubmed: 34589533google scholar: lookup
  5. Freeman DE. Effect of Feed Intake on Water Consumption in Horses: Relevance to Maintenance Fluid Therapy. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:626081.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626081pubmed: 33732739google scholar: lookup
  6. Beder NA, Mourad AA, Aly MA. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the effects of the administration of neostigmine and metoclopramide on duodenal, cecal, and colonic contractility in Arabian horses: A comparative study. Vet World 2020 Nov;13(11):2447-2451.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2447-2451pubmed: 33363340google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.1111/evj.13381pubmed: 33174212google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0784-7pubmed: 27459996google scholar: lookup
  10. McConachie E, Giguère S, Barton MH. Scoring System for Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Adult Horses with Acute Surgical Gastrointestinal Disease. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1276-83.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.14321pubmed: 27296454google scholar: lookup
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