Gastric rupture in horses: 50 cases (1979-1987).

This research study delves into the archives of horse admissions between 1979 and 1987 to analyze cases of gastric rupture. It compares various factors like the horse’s diet, age, breed, and water source to understand their relation to the risk of gastric rupture. The results indicate that diet and water source may have a correlation with increased risk of gastric rupture.

Research Methodology

• Medical and necropsy records of horses treated for colic and found to have gastric rupture from 1979 to 1987 were collected using a computer-based search. A total of fifty such cases were identified.
• For these identified cases, the researchers conducted a thorough examination of data from the peritoneal fluid analysis. They acknowledged potential inaccuracies in the cell counts due to the lysis of white blood cells and counting of debris and bacteria clumps.
• A cross-sectional study compared the gastric rupture cases with all other colic cases to look for any association with the season of admission.
• The researchers generated a random sample of one hundred colic cases, which were matched by the year of admission to the gastric rupture cases. The matching was achieved via a table of random numbers.
• A comprehensive questionnaire, based on the medical records and telephonic interviews with horse owners, collected data on the age, breed, gender, use of the horse, housing, diet, water source, deworming schedule and medical history of the horses.

Research Findings

• There was no observable association between the season of admission and the occurrence of gastric rupture, meaning that the season did not influence the likelihood of a horse suffering from gastric rupture.
• Further, no increased risk was associated with the horse’s age, gender or breed in relation to gastric rupture.
• The researchers found that horses fed on a diet of grass hay or a combination of grass and alfalfa hay, or those drinking water from a bucket, stream, or pond, had a heightened risk of gastric rupture.
• Conversely, horses that consumed a grain diet had a reduced risk of having gastric rupture. This suggests that diet has potential bearings on the risk of gastric rupture in horses.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the diet of the horse, specifically the intake of different types of hay and grain, and their water source, could be contributing factors to the risk of gastric rupture. However, variables like seasons, and the horse’s age, gender, and breed showed no significant relation to the risk of this condition. This study offers valuable insights into equine gastric health and potential risk factors.