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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Colic in a working horse population in Egypt: Prevalence and...
Equine veterinary journal2016; 49(2); 201-206; doi: 10.1111/evj.12573

Colic in a working horse population in Egypt: Prevalence and risk factors.

Abstract: Colic is an important health problem in managed horse populations. Currently, there is limited information about colic prevalence and risk factors for colic in working horse populations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, colic in a working horse population in Egypt and to describe management practices in this working horse population. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Owners of 350 working horses were interviewed. Data about their horses, management and colic episodes in the preceding 12 months were collected. Dental examination was conducted on 342 horses and blood samples (n = 100) were collected for immunodiagnosis of tapeworm (Anoplocephala perfoliata) infection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for a history of colic in the preceding 12 months. Results: The 12-month prevalence of colic was 54.6%. Severe and moderate tapeworm infection intensity was identified in 3% and 26% of horses tested, respectively. Horses that had severe dental disease (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-24.3, P<0.001), that displayed stereotypic behaviour (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.15-3.5, P = 0.013), were fed ground corn during the 'dry season' (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.03-2.6, P = 0.035) or that had received an anthelmintic in the previous 6 months (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.3, P = 0.003) were more likely to have a history of colic in the preceding 12 months. Horses fed on rice bran during the 'green season' (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.9, P = 0.015) and that displayed geophagia/coprophagia (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.73, P = 0.001) were less likely to have a history of colic. Conclusions: Colic is common in this working horse population and this study has identified factors associated with altered likelihood of colic. The study provides important information that may be used to inform future prospective studies investigating colic in working horse populations and to assist development of preventive healthcare strategies. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
© 2016 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2016-05-02 PubMed ID: 27004591DOI: 10.1111/evj.12573Google 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 research study focuses on the prevalence of colic (a common digestive disorder) in working horse populations in Egypt and investigates potential causes. The study found that colic is common in these horse populations and identified several factors that may contribute to its occurrence, providing valuable information for future research and healthcare strategies.

Objective and Methods

  • The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors for colic among working horses in Egypt. Simultaneously, the researchers wanted to describe the management practices used in this particular working horse population.
  • The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey. Owners of 350 working horses were interviewed to gather data about the general health and management of their horses, and specific information about any incidents of colic that occurred within the previous 12-month period.
  • 342 of the examined horses were also subjected to a dental examination, and blood samples were taken from 100 horses for the immunodetection of tapeworm infections.

Results

  • The study found that the one-year incidence of colic among these horses was quite high, at 54.6%.
  • Tapeworm infection was identified in some horses, though considered severe only in 3% and moderate in 26% of the tested samples.
  • The study identified several risk factors associated with a higher likelihood of colic. These included severe dental disease, stereotypic behaviour (repetitive behaviour often indicative of stress), the feeding of ground corn during the dry season, or administration of an anthelmintic (anti-parasite) drug within the previous six months.
  • Furthermore, the study also discovered that certain factors were associated with a decreased likelihood of colic, such as feeding on rice bran during the green season and horses that displayed geophagia/coprophagia (ingestion of earth or faeces).

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that colic is a common health problem in the working horse population in Egypt. They identified several factors that can influence the likelihood of a horse contracting colic.
  • The findings from the study are considered valuable as they can be used to guide further research into colic among working horse populations and assist in the formulation and implementation of effective preventative healthcare strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Salem SE, Scantlebury CE, Ezzat E, Abdelaal AM, Archer DC. (2016). Colic in a working horse population in Egypt: Prevalence and risk factors. Equine Vet J, 49(2), 201-206. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12573

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 2
Pages: 201-206

Researcher Affiliations

Salem, S E
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health/School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Wirral, UK.
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zakazik, Egypt.
Scantlebury, C E
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health/School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Wirral, UK.
Ezzat, E
  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zakazik, Egypt.
Abdelaal, A M
  • Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zakazik, Egypt.
Archer, D C
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health/School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Wirral, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Cestode Infections / complications
  • Cestode Infections / veterinary
  • Colic / epidemiology
  • Colic / etiology
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Odds Ratio
  • Ownership
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tooth Diseases / complications
  • Tooth Diseases / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1606585pubmed: 40919037google scholar: lookup
  2. Fikri F, Hendrawan D, Wicaksono AP, Purnomo A, Khairani S, Chhetri S, Purnama MTE, Çalışkan H. Colic incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management in a working horse population in Tuban, Indonesia. Vet World 2024 May;17(5):963-972.
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    doi: 10.3390/ani14050817pubmed: 38473201google scholar: lookup
  4. Bonsi M, Anderson NE, Carder G. The Socioeconomic Impact of Diseases of Working Equids in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;13(24).
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  5. Salem SE, Abd El-Ghany AM, Elsheikh HA, Abdel-Ghany EM, Ras R. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in a working horse population in Egypt. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023 Oct 18;55(6):361.
    doi: 10.1007/s11250-023-03773-3pubmed: 37851181google scholar: lookup
  6. Fikri F, Hendrawan D, Wicaksono AP, Purnomo A, Khairani S, Chhetri S, Maslamama ST, Purnama MTE. Incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management of equine colic in Lamongan, Indonesia. Vet World 2023;16(7):1408-1414.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1408-1414pubmed: 37621536google scholar: lookup
  7. Seck M, Jobling R, Brown AF. Trialling Locally Made, Low-Cost Bits to Improve Bit-Related Welfare Problems in Cart Horses: Findings from a Study in Senegal. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 20;13(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13010002pubmed: 36611612google scholar: lookup
  8. Wild I, Freeman S, Robles D, Matamoros D, Ortiz M, Rodriguez J, Burford J. Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 13;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11072087pubmed: 34359215google scholar: lookup
  9. Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219307pubmed: 31295284google scholar: lookup
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