Dietary risk factors and colonic pH and mineral concentrations in horses with enterolithiasis.

The article discusses a study that compared diet and environmental factors between horses in California with enterolithiasis (intestinal stones) and horses with surgical colic due to non-strangulating obstruction of the colon. The results suggest reducing alfalfa consumption and promoting regular access to pasture grass might decrease the likelihood of enterolithiasis.

Research Design and Methodology

• The researchers performed a prospective, unmatched case control study. In this kind of study, the researchers observe subjects and measure their outcomes without having to manipulate environments or behaviors.
• Two groups were compared – 43 horses with enterolithiasis, and 19 horses with surgical colic due to nonstrangulating obstruction of the colon but without enteroliths.
• Colonic ingesta samples were collected from the horses during surgery. These samples were analysed for their pH level and concentrations of various minerals – magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, calcium, potassium, and nitrogen.
• Questionnaires were sent to horse owners to gather information on the horses’ diets and management practices.
• Statistical tests, such as the Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney tests, were used to compare the values such as pH, dry matter content, nitrogen percentage, and mineral content between the two groups.

Study Findings

• The study found that horses with enterolithiasis had significantly higher mean pH levels in their colonic contents than the control group.
• The dry matter percentage in fecal samples of horses with enterolithiasis was found to be significantly lower than in the controls.
• Mineral concentrations in the horses with enterolithiasis were higher on average than in the control group.
• Regarding diet and management practices, horses with enterolithiasis were found to have consumed higher proportions of alfalfa in their diet and were less likely to have daily access to pasture grass compared to horses without enteroliths.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• The findings suggest that reducing alfalfa intake and providing daily access to pasture grazing could decrease the risk of enterolithiasis in horses.
• Additionally, dietary modifications that promote acidification of the colonic contents and dilution of minerals were suggested as potential preventive measures for enterolithiasis.