Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine foaling rates in mares presented for medical or surgical treatment of colic, and to examine risk factors associated with abortion following colic. A retrospective analysis of 153 medical records found that mares treated surgically for colic (P = 0.0007) were 3.5 times more likely to have a negative pregnancy outcome than were mares treated medically for colic. Anesthetic time (P = 0.01) and intra-operative hypotension (P = 0.03) were significantly associated with negative pregnancy outcome. Mares with an anesthetic time > or = 3 h were 6 times more likely to abort. Signs of endotoxemia (P = 0.30), hypoxia (P = 0.89), flunixin meglumine administration (P = 0.13), mucous membrane color at the time of presentation (P = 0.82) and capillary refill time (P = 0.76) were not associated with pregnancy outcome. There was no difference in the foaling rate for mares that had received progestin supplementation versus those that had not (P = 0.42). In this study, the significant risk factors for abortion were surgically treated colic, long anesthetic time, and intraoperative hypotension. Taux de poulinage et facteurs de risque pour l’avortement chez les juments gravides présentées pour traitement médical ou chirurgical de coliques : 153 cas (de 1993 à 2005). Le but de cette étude était de déterminer les taux de poulinage chez les juments présentées pour le traitement médical ou chirurgical de coliques et d’examiner les facteurs de risque associés à l’avortement après les coliques. Une analyse rétrospective de 153 dossiers médicaux a constaté qu’il était 3,5 fois plus probable que les juments traitées par chirurgie pour les coliques (P = 0,0007) aient un résultat négatif de gestation que les juments traitées médicalement pour les coliques. La durée de l’anesthésie (P = 0,01) et l’hypotension peropératoire (P = 0,03) ont été significativement associées à un résultat négatif de gestation. Il était 6 fois plus probable que les juments ayant une durée d’anesthésie ≥ 3 heures avortent. Les signes d’endotoxémie (P = 0,30), d’hypoxie (P = 0,89), l’administration de méglumine de flunixine (P = 0,13), la couleur de la membrane muqueuse au moment de la présentation (P = 0,82) et le temps de remplissage capillaire (P = 0,76) n’étaient pas associés au résultat de la gestation. Il n’y a pas eu de différence dans le taux de poulinage pour les juments qui avaient reçu une supplémentation de progestatif par opposition à celles qui n’en avaient pas eue (P = 0,42). Dans cette étude, les facteurs de risque significatifs pour l’avortement étaient les coliques traitées par chirurgie, une anesthésie de longue durée et l’hypotension peropératoire. (Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)
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The research study examined the rates of successful birth in mares suffering from colic, a gastrointestinal condition, and the factors influencing miscarriage post colic treatment. Determined through a retrospective analysis of 153 medical cases, surgically treated mares, long anaesthetic times, and intraoperative low blood pressure were key risk factors contributing to abortion.
Study Aim
The goal of this study was to analyze the birth rates of mares that underwent either medical or surgical treatment for colic, a common gastrointestinal condition in horses. It also aimed to identify and understand various factors that escalated the chances of miscarriage after undergoing treatment for colic.
Research Method
The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis, reviewing 153 medical records of mares that had either undergone medical treatment or surgical intervention for colic.
Key Findings
The researchers found that mares that underwent surgical treatment for colic were 3.5 times more likely to undergo a miscarriage or have a negative pregnancy outcome compared to those that received medical treatment for colic.
Lengthy anesthesia time and a drop in blood pressure during the operation were also recognized as significant risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mares anaesthetized for 3 or more hours were six times more likely to abort than those for which anesthesia was shorter.
Certain other conditions like endotoxemia (toxins in the blood), hypoxia (insufficient oxygen), flunixin meglumine administration (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), the color of the mucous membrane at the time of presentation, and capillary refill time (a quick assessment of circulatory system function) were found to not be significantly associated with pregnancy outcomes.
The study found no difference in the foaling rates between mares that had received progestin supplementation (hormonal therapy) and those that had not. Progestin supplementation hence didn’t seem to have an impact on birth rates in treated mares.
Ultimately, the study determined that the most important risk factors for miscarriage were surgically treated colic, extended anesthesia, and hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) during the operation.
Cite This Article
APA
Chenier TS, Whitehead AE.
(2009).
Foaling rates and risk factors for abortion in pregnant mares presented for medical or surgical treatment of colic: 153 cases (1993-2005).
Can Vet J, 50(5), 481-485.
Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. tchenier@uoguelph.ca
Whitehead, Ashley E
MeSH Terms
Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
Abortion, Veterinary / etiology
Anesthesia / adverse effects
Anesthesia / veterinary
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Colic / physiopathology
Colic / surgery
Colic / therapy
Colic / veterinary
Female
Horse Diseases / physiopathology
Horse Diseases / surgery
Horse Diseases / therapy
Horses
Hypotension / physiopathology
Hypotension / veterinary
Hypoxia / physiopathology
Hypoxia / veterinary
Intraoperative Complications / veterinary
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications / veterinary
Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
References
This article includes 11 references
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