Colic in competing endurance horses presenting to referral centres: 36 cases.
Abstract: Colic is a common reason for elimination from equine endurance competitions and has recently been identified as the leading cause of mortality in this group of horses. Hydration and electrolyte derangements are often severe, but are probably related to endurance exercise and not necessarily the episode of colic. Better understanding of the causes of colic and the expected outcome is needed to guide treatment decisions in endurance horses. Objective: To describe the history, case details, clinical examination, laboratory, treatment and outcomes for horses presenting to equine referral centres for treatment of colic associated with endurance competition and to identify variables associated with prolonged hospitalisation. Methods: Thirty-six horses from 2 equine referral centres were included in the analysis. In addition to descriptive statistics, Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate factors associated with length of hospitalisation. Results: A diagnosis of open or ileus was made in the majority of horses (56%). Salmonellosis and enteritis (Salmonella negative) were also recognised (16%). Exploratory abdominal surgery was performed in 5 of the horses. Only one of 36 horses did not survive to discharge. Previous eliminations from competition (negative association) and total i.v. fluids within the first 24 h (positive association) of admission were both associated with length of hospitalisation. Conclusions: Endurance horses with colic typically respond to medical treatment but in some cases hospitalisation may be prolonged. The role of Salmonella infections in endurance horses with colic requires further research. Conclusions: Despite potentially severe clinical and laboratory derangements, equine practitioners should make owners aware that the prognosis for competing endurance horses with colic is good when treated appropriately.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-11-03 PubMed ID: 22050046DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00462.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on a study that explored the causes and outcomes related to colic – a leading cause of mortality – in competing endurance horses. The researchers also sought to identify the factors that contribute to prolonged hospitalisation for these horses.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The main purpose of the study was to better understand the causes of colic in endurance horses, and to identify potential predictors of long-term hospitalizations.
- The participants in the study were 36 horses from 2 equine referral centres, which were presented for treatment of colic associated with endurance competition.
- The researchers used statistical analysis, specifically Cox proportional hazards models, to assess factors that could be associated with the length of the hospital stays.
Findings and Conclusions
- Based on the analysis, the majority of the horses (56%) were diagnosed with open or ileus, while some (16%) were identified to have salmonellosis and enteritis.
- Out of the total, 5 of the horses underwent exploratory abdominal surgery and only one out of the 36 did not survive to discharge.
- Two key factors were found to be associated with the duration of hospitalisation: previous eliminations from competition (which negatively correlated with the length of hospitalization) and total intravenous fluids received within the first 24 hours of admission (which positively correlated with the length of hospitalization).
- Typically, endurance horses with colic respond beneficially to medical treatment. Nevertheless, a few cases may require extended periods of hospitalization.
- The study also suggested that Salmonella infections in endurance horses with colic is a topic worthy of further research.
- The researchers concluded that despite potentially severe clinical and laboratory derangements, equine practitioners should make owners aware that endurance horses with colic generally have a good prognosis when treated properly.
Cite This Article
APA
Fielding CL, Dechant JE.
(2011).
Colic in competing endurance horses presenting to referral centres: 36 cases.
Equine Vet J, 44(4), 472-475.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00462.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Loomis, California and University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA. langdonfielding@yahoo.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / etiology
- Colic / pathology
- Colic / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Models, Biological
- Physical Endurance
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Risk Factors
- Sports
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Pakula PD, Halama A, Al-Dous EK, Johnson SJ, Filho SA, Suhre K, Vinardell T. Characterization of exercise-induced hemolysis in endurance horses. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1115776.
- Mach N, Midoux C, Leclercq S, Pennarun S, Le Moyec L, Rué O, Robert C, Sallé G, Barrey E. Mining the equine gut metagenome: poorly-characterized taxa associated with cardiovascular fitness in endurance athletes. Commun Biol 2022 Oct 3;5(1):1032.
- Mach N, Moroldo M, Rau A, Lecardonnel J, Le Moyec L, Robert C, Barrey E. Understanding the Holobiont: Crosstalk Between Gut Microbiota and Mitochondria During Long Exercise in Horse. Front Mol Biosci 2021;8:656204.
- Fielding CL, Magdesian KG, Mayer JR. Resolution of neurologic signs presumed to be associated with hyperammonemia in 2 endurance horses. Can Vet J 2020 Aug;61(8):860-864.
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