Colic in geriatric compared to mature nongeriatric horses. Part 1: Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data.
Abstract: It is the impression of some surgeons that geriatric horses have a lower survival rate compared to mature nongeriatric horses following colic surgery. One possible reason for this is that geriatric horses may be more critically ill at admission and have more severe disease than mature nongeriatric horses. Objective: To compare admission historical, physical examination and laboratory data for geriatric and mature nongeriatric horses referred for signs of colic. Methods: Medical records of horses admitted with a presenting complaint of colic between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed. Geriatric horses ≥16 years (n = 300) and mature nongeriatric horses 4-15 years (n = 300). Information obtained included duration of colic prior to admission, admission level of pain, heart rate, intestinal borborygmi, packed cell volume (PCV), plasma creatinine and blood lactate concentrations and peritoneal fluid total protein. Data were analysed using a Chi-squared test or an analysis of variance. Level of significance was P<0.05. Results: There was no difference between geriatric and mature horses in the duration of colic prior to admission or in admission heart rate, PCV, or plasma creatinine or blood lactate concentrations. However, geriatric horses were more likely to be moderately painful and less likely to be bright and alert than mature horses; and less likely to have normal intestinal borborygmi than mature horses. Peritoneal fluid total protein concentration was higher in geriatric than mature horses. Conclusions: Geriatric horses presenting with signs of colic had a similar admission cardiovascular status based on heart rate, PCV, and plasma creatinine and blood lactate concentration to mature horses. Geriatric horses, however, may have different causes of colic, which may be more serious than mature horses based on pain, lack of intestinal borborygmi and peritoneal fluid total protein concentration.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2010-08-19 PubMed ID: 20840577DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00092.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research study focused on comparing the clinical data and laboratory results for geriatric horses (16 years and older) and mature non-geriatric horses (between 4 to 15 years) experiencing colic, with the aim to understand the variation in their responses to treatment and survival rates post colic surgery.
Study Methodology
- This research investigated medical records for horses brought in, between 2000 and 2006, with colic symptoms.
- The two groups being compared were geriatric horses, aged 16 years and above (n = 300), and mature non-geriatric horses, aged between 4 and 15 years (n = 300).
- Collected data comprised the duration of colic prior to admission, level of pain upon admission, heart rate, intestinal sounds (borborygmi), packed cell volume (PCV), plasma creatinine concentrations, blood lactate concentrations, and peritoneal fluid total protein.
- Statistical analysis was conducted using a Chi-squared test or analysis of variance, with statistical significance set at P<0.05.
Study Findings
- There were no differences between geriatric and mature horses concerning the duration of colic prior to admission as well as the heart rate, PCV, or plasma creatinine and blood lactate concentrations upon admission.
- However, geriatric horses displayed more likelihood of being moderately in pain and less alert compared to mature horses.
- Geriatric horses were also less likely to have normal intestinal noises or borborygmi than mature horses.
- Higher total protein concentration was detected in the peritoneal fluid of geriatric horses compared to mature horses.
Study Conclusions
- Geriatric horses presenting with colic symptoms shared similar admission cardiovascular status (heart rate, PCV, plasma creatinine, and blood lactate concentration) with mature horses.
- However, the cause of colic in geriatric horses might be different and potentially more serious. It was inferred from observations including their pain levels, the absence of typical intestinal noises, and an increased protein concentration in the peritoneal fluid.
Cite This Article
APA
Southwood LL, Gassert T, Lindborg S.
(2010).
Colic in geriatric compared to mature nongeriatric horses. Part 1: Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data.
Equine Vet J, 42(7), 621-627.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00092.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA. southwoo@vet.upenn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Colic / mortality
- Colic / pathology
- Colic / surgery
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
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