Factors associated with euthanasia in horses and ponies enrolled in a laminitis cohort study in Great Britain.
Abstract: Euthanasia is a complex topic, with animal owners using multiple factors to shape their decision-making process. Previous epidemiological studies have described causes of equine mortality in specific populations, but there is limited evidence regarding factors contributing specifically to equine euthanasia in Great Britain (GB). This observational study used a prospective cohort design: the objectives were to describe owner-reported reasons for euthanasia, estimate the rate of euthanasia and identify associated factors in horses/ponies enrolled in a web-based epidemiological study of laminitis in GB. Self-selected horse/pony owners submitted regular management and health data over 29 months and reported dates and reasons for euthanasia during this period. The overall incidence of euthanasia was estimated and associated factors were identified using multivariable Cox regression modelling, adjusted for age, with variables retained in the final model if P ≤ 0.05. Data were available for 1070 horses/ponies contributing 1093 horse-years at risk (HYAR), with 80 owner-reported euthanasias. The incidence of euthanasia was 7.3 euthanasias per 100 HYAR (95 % confidence interval [CI] 5.9, 9.1). The most frequently reported health reasons contributing to euthanasia were laminitis-related consequences (25.0 % ; CI 16.8, 35.5 %), colic (21.3 % ; CI 13.7, 31.4 %), non-laminitic lameness (20.0 % ; CI 12.7, 30.1 %) and age-related deterioration, including owner-perceived compromised quality of life (20.0 % ; CI 12.7, 30.1 %). Health-related factors associated with significantly higher rates of euthanasia were colic (hazard ratio [HR] 26.4; CI 12.5, 55.8), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (HR 3.0; CI 1.7, 5.4) and lameness due to navicular syndrome (HR 5.9; CI 1.8, 20.0), soft tissue injury (HR 6.5; CI 2.7, 15.6) or laminitis (HR 2.7; CI 1.3, 5.7). Further factors included being pure bred (HR 1.7; CI 1.0, 2.8), female (HR 1.7; CI 1.0, 2.9), having poor owner-perceived hoof quality (HR 2.4; CI 1.1, 5.2), being entirely stabled (HR 5.0; HR 2.1, 12.0), being on loan or under temporary care of the study participant (HR 2.3; CI 1.2, 4.4) and participating in affiliated or professional competitions (HR 5.9; CI 2.4, 14.8). Euthanasia rates were significantly higher in the first two study years compared to the third (P < 0.001). Animals whose owners used the study's custom-designed weight tracker tool had significantly lower rates of euthanasia (HR 0.6; CI 0.3, 0.95). This study has identified a number of, arguably preventable, health-related factors associated with higher rates of euthanasia. Data on owners' decision-making process regarding euthanasia, including emotive and financial impacts, were not recorded but are important contributors to euthanasia that require better understanding.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-11-06 PubMed ID: 31751854DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104833Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper delves into the reasons behind the euthanasia of horses and ponies in Great Britain, with a special focus on those suffering from laminitis. It investigates health-related elements and other key factors that contribute to the decision-making process leading toward euthanasia.
Study Design and Methodology
- The authors utilized an observational study with a prospective cohort design. This involved horse and pony owners who voluntarily submitted regular management and health data for their animals over a span of 29 months.
- These owners reported euthanasia cases during this period, including dates and reasons. In this way, the research team could calculate the overall rate of euthanasia, and identify related factors.
- In the statistical part of the study, they used Cox regression modelling to find the links between variables, with the cut-off for inclusion being a variable value of P ≤ 0.05 after adjustment for the age factor.
Key Findings
- The data set gathered for the study included 1070 horses and ponies, contributing 1093 horse-years at risk (HYAR), and 80 instances of euthanasia.
- The euthanasia rate was determined to be 7.3 per 100 HYAR. The primary health reasons for euthanasia were consequences linked to laminitis (25%), colic (21.3%), non-laminitic lameness (20%), and age-related deterioration, including perceived compromised quality of life (20%).
- Significantly higher rates of euthanasia were linked to health conditions like colic, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, and lameness due to various reasons including navicular syndrome, soft tissue injury, or laminitis.
- Additionally, the study revealed that certain conditions like being pure bred, female, having poor owner-perceived hoof quality, being kept entirely in the stable, or participating in professional competitions increased the risk of euthanasia.
- Horses on loan or under temporarily care were also at a greater risk. The euthanasia rates were higher in the first two years of the study than in the last.
- Interestingly, the study found that horses whose owners used the custom-designed weight tracker tool had lower euthanasia rates.
Conclusions and Forward-Look
- This research highlights several, arguably avoidable, health-related factors that are associated with higher rates of euthanasia in horses and ponies in Great Britain.
- Information about the owners’ emotional and financial decision-making process around euthanasia was not recorded, but the study acknowledges these as crucial factors that require a better understanding for future preventive measures.
Cite This Article
APA
Pollard D, Wylie CE, Newton JR, Verheyen KLP.
(2019).
Factors associated with euthanasia in horses and ponies enrolled in a laminitis cohort study in Great Britain.
Prev Vet Med, 174, 104833.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104833 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Department, Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK; Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK. Electronic address: danica.pollard@aht.org.uk.
- Rossdales Equine Hospital, Exning, Newmarket, UK; Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: claire.wylie@sydney.edu.au.
- Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Department, Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. Electronic address: richard.newton@aht.org.uk.
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK. Electronic address: kverheyen@rvc.ac.uk.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- England
- Euthanasia / statistics & numerical data
- Foot Diseases / etiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Prospective Studies
- Quality of Life
- Scotland
- Wales
Citations
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