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BMC veterinary research2007; 3; 1; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-3-1

Epidemiology of impaction colic in donkeys in the UK.

Abstract: Colic (abdominal pain) is a clinical condition of serious concern affecting the welfare and survival of donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK. One of the most commonly reported causes is due to impacted ingesta in the large intestine ("impaction colic"). However little is known about the incidence of, or risk factors for, this condition. Here we describe the epidemiology of colic in donkeys, specifically impaction colic. We focus on temporal aspects of the disease and we identify environmental and management related risk factors for impaction colic in UK donkeys. Results: There were 807 colic episodes in the population of 4596 donkeys between January 1st 2000 and March 31st 2005. The majority (54.8%) of episodes were due to a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of impaction of the gastrointestinal tract. The mortality risk for all colics (51.1%) was higher than reported in other equids. The incidence rate of all colics (5.9 episodes per 100 donkeys per year) and of impaction colic (3.2 episodes) was similar to that in horses. A retrospective matched case-control study of all impaction colics from January 2003 (193) indicated that older donkeys, those fed extra rations and those that previously suffered colic were at increased risk of impaction. Lighter body weight, musculo-skeletal problems, farm and dental disease were also significantly associated with a diagnosis of impaction colic. Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first study to estimate the incidence rate of colic in a large population of donkeys in the UK. In contrast to other equids, impaction was the most commonly reported cause of colic. We identified several risk factors for impaction colic. Increasing age, extra rations and previous colic are known risk factors for colic in other equids. Results support the hypothesis that dental disease is associated with impaction colic. Musculo-skeletal problems may be associated with colic for various reasons including change in amount of exercise or time at pasture. Other associated factors (weight and farm) are the subject of further research. Identification of risk factors for impaction colic may highlight high risk donkeys and may allow intervention strategies to be introduced to reduce the incidence of the disease.
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Publication Date: 2007-02-02 PubMed ID: 17274808PubMed Central: PMC1800892DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-3-1Google 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 investigates the causes and risk factors of impaction colic (blockage due to food or other ingested materials within the digestive system causing abdominal pain) in donkeys, based on a case study of donkeys at the UK Donkey Sanctuary from 2000 to 2005.

Impaction Colic Overview

  • Impaction colic is a common cause of abdominal pain in donkeys, characterized by the build-up of ingested materials such as food in the large intestine causing a blockage.
  • The study focuses on the occurrence of the disease based on time, and attempts to identify environmental and management-related risk factors for impaction colic in donkeys located in the UK.

Research Results

  • From 2000 to 2005, out of 4,596 donkeys, there were 807 instances of colic, with more than half (54.8%) attributed to impaction of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • The mortality risk for all colic instances was 51.1%, which is higher than other types of horses.
  • The incidence of all colic instances was 5.9 episodes per 100 donkeys per year, while for impaction colic cases it was 3.2 episodes—similar to horses.
  • A retrospective case-control study of all impaction colics from 2003 (193 in total) showed increased risk of impaction in older donkeys, those fed extra rations, and those that had suffered from colic previously.
  • Other risks associated with impaction colic included lighter body weight, musculoskeletal problems, the farm where the donkey was kept, and dental disease.

Conclusions

  • This study is the first to estimate the incidence rate of colic in a large UK donkey population.
  • Contrary to other horses, impaction was the most commonly reported cause of colic among donkeys.
  • Several risk factors for impaction colic were identified, such as increasing age, extra rations, previous instances of colic, and dental disease.
  • Musculoskeletal problems may be associated with colic due to changes in exercise amount or pasture time.
  • Other associated factors such as donkey weight and farm are subjects of further research.
  • Identifying these risk factors may help identify high-risk donkeys and inform the introduction of intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Cox R, Proudman CJ, Trawford AF, Burden F, Pinchbeck GL. (2007). Epidemiology of impaction colic in donkeys in the UK. BMC Vet Res, 3, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-3-1

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 3
Pages: 1

Researcher Affiliations

Cox, Ruth
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral, CH64 7TE, UK. r.cox@liverpool.ac.uk
Proudman, Christopher J
    Trawford, Andrew F
      Burden, Faith
        Pinchbeck, Gina L

          MeSH Terms

          • Aging
          • Animals
          • Case-Control Studies
          • Colic / diagnosis
          • Colic / epidemiology
          • Colic / veterinary
          • Equidae
          • Fecal Impaction / diagnosis
          • Fecal Impaction / epidemiology
          • Fecal Impaction / veterinary
          • Incidence
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Seasons
          • Stomatognathic Diseases / epidemiology
          • Stomatognathic Diseases / veterinary
          • Time Factors
          • United Kingdom / epidemiology

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