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Equine veterinary journal2021; 53(5); 1015-1024; doi: 10.1111/evj.13381

Equine nutrition in the post-operative colic: Survey of Diplomates of the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons, and European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons.

Abstract: Evidence is lacking concerning re-introduction of feed and water following colic surgery. Objective: To describe current approaches of European and American specialists to re-introduction of feed and water in adult horses following surgical treatment of common intestinal lesions, assuming an uncomplicated recovery. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Electronic invitations, with a link to the online survey, were sent to 1,430 large animal specialists, including Diplomates of the ECVS, ACVS, ECEIM and ACVIM colleges. Results: The response rate was 12.6% including partial respondent data. Responses for each multiple-choice question were between 123 and 178. Results are expressed as the percentage of the total number of responses and as a range where specific lesions are grouped together. Respondents reported that horses with large intestinal displacements were offered free choice water (63%-65%) within 3 hours (55%-63%), whereas horses with a small intestinal strangulating lesion were offered < 2 L water (64%-74%) 12-24 hours (28%-34%) post-operatively. Horses with a large colon displacement were offered feed within 3 hours of surgery (16%) with the majority offered feed 6-12 hours (35%-36%) post-operatively. Horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions and small colon lesions were offered feed 24-48 hours (34%-42%) after surgery. Following small intestinal, small colon or caecal lesions, horses were re-introduced feed in handfuls (79%-93%) and initially with grass (41%-54%). Horses with large colon displacements were mostly fed handfuls (49%-50%) of forage initially, but a number of respondents would offer larger quantities such as a small bucket (35%-37%) and predominantly of hay (50%-51%). Conclusions: Low response rate. This study did not take into account common post-operative complications that may alter the clinical approach. Conclusions: This post-operative colic nutrition survey is the first to describe current clinical practice. Further research is required to investigate nutritional strategies in post-operative colic cases.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-09 PubMed ID: 33174212PubMed Central: PMC8451781DOI: 10.1111/evj.13381Google 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.

The research article presents a survey exploring current practices of European and American veterinary specialists on re-introducing food and water to adult horses after colic surgery. The findings indicate that different practices are followed depending on the type of intestinal lesion. However, due to a low response rate and lack of consideration for post-operative complications, further investigations are required.

Survey Methodology

  • The survey aimed to gather information on the practices followed by veterinary specialists when reintroducing feed and water to horses after surgical treatment for intestinal lesions.
  • Electronic invitations to participate in the survey were sent to 1,430 large animal specialists, including Diplomates of the ECVS, ACVS, ECEIM, and ACVIM colleges.
  • The choice of response method in this survey was multiple-choice questions. The response rate was relatively low, at 12.6%, inclusive of partial respondent data.

Survey Results

  • The manner of reintroducing food and water to horses undergoing surgery varied based on the type of intestinal lesion.
  • Horses with large intestinal displacements were generally given free choice water (63%-65%) within 3 hours post surgery (55%-63%). They were also offered feed within 3-12 hours post surgery.
  • In contrast, post surgery, horses with a small intestinal strangulating lesion were offered less than 2L water (64%-74%) between 12-24 hours (28%-34%) and were offered feed only after 24-48 hours.
  • The feed was primarily reintroduced in handfuls across most conditions (79%-93%) and initially consisted of grass (41%-54%). Horses with large colon displacements were often fed forage in larger quantities, such as a small bucket (35%-37%), usually of hay (50%-51%).

Conclusion and Future Research

  • The survey highlights the lack of consistent practices when reintroducing feed and water to horses after colic surgery, and these practices largely depend on the kind of intestinal lesions the horses have undergone.
  • However, due to the low response rate, the study may not accurately represent the overall practices across veterinary specialists. The survey also didn’t consider potential post-operative complications, which could significantly impact the re-introduction strategy.
  • Thus, future research is needed to further study nutrition strategies in post-operative colic cases, taking into account post-operative complications, for developing more comprehensive and consistent practices for post-operative equine nutrition.

Cite This Article

APA
Lawson AL, Sherlock CE, Ireland JL, Mair TS. (2021). Equine nutrition in the post-operative colic: Survey of Diplomates of the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons, and European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons. Equine Vet J, 53(5), 1015-1024. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13381

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 5
Pages: 1015-1024

Researcher Affiliations

Lawson, April L
  • Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Sherlock, Ceri E
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Mereworth, UK.
Ireland, Jo L
  • Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Mair, Tim S
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Mereworth, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Colic / surgery
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Surgeons
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

No competing interests have been declared.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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  2. Byrne CA, Hotchkiss JW, Barakzai SZ. Variations in the application of equine prosthetic laryngoplasty: A survey of 128 equine surgeons. Vet Surg 2023 Feb;52(2):209-220.
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  3. Melo UP, Palhares MS, Ferreira C, Leme FOP, Gheller VA. Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid-base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy. Braz J Vet Med 2022;44:e003222.
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  4. Carvalho BVL, de Souza MCN, Avanza MFB, Teixeira RBC, Silva JRB, da Silva Cardoso T, Novais LGES, de Oliveira Monteiro FD, Viana RB, Monteiro BM, Teixeira PPM, Filho JDR. Laparoscopically assisted cecal cannulation in standing horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1717140.
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