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Equine veterinary journal2014; 47(2); 202-206; doi: 10.1111/evj.12276

Management and horse-level risk factors for recurrent colic in the UK general equine practice population.

Abstract: Recurrent colic occurs frequently in the general horse population but little evidence exists about what factors place horses at greater risk of recurrent colic. Objective: To quantify time-varying and non time-varying risk factors for recurrent colic among horses attended by first-opinion veterinary surgeons in northwest England. Methods: Nested case-control study. Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted on data from a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 127 horses recruited subsequent to an episode of medical colic. Data were collected on management and recurrent colic episodes at 4-monthly intervals by telephone questionnaires. All recurrent colic episodes were selected as cases; controls were unmatched and randomly selected from all horse-time at risk. Data relating to the 30 days prior to the date of colic or control selection were used to determine exposure status. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors for recurrent colic. Results: In total, 59 cases and 177 controls were included. The final model showed that horses that displayed crib-biting/windsucking (odds ratio [OR] 10.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-41.0) or weaving behaviour (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.5-10.1) had an increased risk of recurrence of colic. Increasing time at pasture reduced the risk of recurrence (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-1.0). A significant interaction was found suggesting that the risk associated with crib-biting/windsucking may be modified by feeding fruit/vegetables; however, further research is required before recommendations for feeding practices can be made. Conclusions: This study suggests that sufficient access to pasture may be an important means of reducing recurrent colic risk. The behavioural risk factors highlight individuals who may be at increased risk of recurrent colic and whose colic prevention strategies should be carefully managed.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2014-05-28 PubMed ID: 24735250DOI: 10.1111/evj.12276Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 risk factors related to recurrent colic in horses, highlighting that horses displaying crib-biting/windsucking behavior or weaving behavior are at a higher risk of colic recurrence. It is also indicated that sufficient time at the pasture can potentially lower this risk, although further studies are needed before any conclusive recommendations can be made.

Methodology

  • The study was a nested case-control study conducted as part of a larger longitudinal cohort study on a group of 127 horses that had experienced an episode of medical colic.
  • Management and recurrence of colic episodes were tracked at 4-monthly intervals using telephone questionnaires.
  • All repeated cases of colic were selected as cases and control subjects were randomly selected from all horse-time at risk.
  • Exposure status was determined from data relating to the 30 days leading up to the date of colic or control selection.
  • Risk factors for recurrent colic were determined using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

  • The study consisted of 59 cases and 177 controls.
  • The final model revealed that horses displaying crib-biting/windsucking behavior or weaving behavior were at a higher risk for colic recurrence (with odds ratios of 10.1 and 3.9 respectively).
  • Time at pasture had a protective effect, reducing the risk of recurrence (odds ratio 0.99).
  • An interaction was found suggesting that the risk of colic associated with crib-biting/windsucking might be modified by feeding habits, specifically the consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, further research is necessary to substantiate this finding.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that sufficient access to pasture might be an effective way of reducing recurrent colic risk in horses.
  • Behavioral factors like crib-biting/windsucking and weaving highlight the horses that may be at an increased risk of recurrent colic, signaling the need for careful management of their colic prevention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Scantlebury CE, Archer DC, Proudman CJ, Pinchbeck GL. (2014). Management and horse-level risk factors for recurrent colic in the UK general equine practice population. Equine Vet J, 47(2), 202-206. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12276

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 2
Pages: 202-206

Researcher Affiliations

Scantlebury, C E
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Wirral, UK.
Archer, D C
    Proudman, C J
      Pinchbeck, G L

        MeSH Terms

        • Animal Feed
        • Animals
        • Behavior, Animal
        • Case-Control Studies
        • Colic / epidemiology
        • Colic / etiology
        • Colic / prevention & control
        • Colic / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
        • Horses
        • Odds Ratio
        • Risk Factors
        • United Kingdom / epidemiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 6 times.
        1. Fikri F, Hendrawan D, Wicaksono AP, Purnomo A, Khairani S, Chhetri S, Maslamama ST, Purnama MTE. Incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management of equine colic in Lamongan, Indonesia. Vet World 2023;16(7):1408-1414.
          doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1408-1414pubmed: 37621536google scholar: lookup
        2. Siwińska N, Żak-Bochenek A, Paszkowska M, Karczewski M, Długopolska D, Haider W. Retrospective Evaluation of the Most Frequently Observed Histological Changes in Duodenal and Rectal Mucosal Biopsies in Horses with Recurrent Colic. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 13;12(24).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12243527pubmed: 36552447google scholar: lookup
        3. Lara F, Castro R, Thomson P. Changes in the gut microbiome and colic in horses: Are they causes or consequences?. Open Vet J 2022 Mar-Apr;12(2):242-249.
          doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i2.12pubmed: 35603065google scholar: lookup
        4. Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219307pubmed: 31295284google scholar: lookup
        5. Horseman SV, Buller H, Mullan S, Whay HR. Current Welfare Problems Facing Horses in Great Britain as Identified by Equine Stakeholders. PLoS One 2016;11(8):e0160269.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160269pubmed: 27501387google scholar: lookup
        6. Fikri F, Hendrawan D, Wicaksono AP, Purnomo A, Khairani S, Chhetri S, Purnama MTE, Çalışkan H. Colic incidence, risk factors, and therapeutic management in a working horse population in Tuban, Indonesia. Vet World 2024 May;17(5):963-972.
          doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.963-972pubmed: 38911082google scholar: lookup
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