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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association1991; 198(10); 1745-1747;

Medical problems of adult horses, as ranked by equine practitioners.

Abstract: This paper reports the results of a survey conducted among members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, concerning medical problems of adult horses. A one-page questionnaire listing 36 medical problems grouped by body system was completed by 1,149 veterinarians. The top-ranked disease was colic, followed by viral respiratory tract disease, endometritis, dermatitis, and parasitism. When responses were evaluated by type of practice, location of practice, and number of veterinarians in the practice, ranking of the top 2 diseases was the same for the total respondents. Ranking of diseases 3 through 5 varied when these criteria were taken into consideration.
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Publication Date: 1991-05-15 PubMed ID: 2071472
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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 the findings of a survey on the most common medical problems in adult horses according to equine veterinarians, with colic and viral respiratory tract disease ranking highest.

Survey Methodology

  • The authors conducted a survey among members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to identify the most frequently diagnosed medical issues in adult horses.
  • A questionnaire was developed for this purpose, listing 36 medical problems categorized by the bodily system they affect.
  • In total, 1,149 veterinarians participated in the survey, each filling out the one-page questionnaire to share their experiences and assessments.

Survey Findings

  • The survey’s results revealed that colic was the most commonly diagnosed disease among adult horses.
  • Viral respiratory tract disease came in second.
  • Endometritis, a condition involving inflammation of the uterus, ranked as the third most common disease according to the survey.
  • The fourth and fifth places went to dermatitis, a skin inflammation condition, and parasitism, respectively.

Variations By Practice Details

  • As part of their analysis, the researchers also compared the results based on different variables such as the type of practice, location of the practice, and the number of veterinarians in a given practice.
  • However, regardless of these criteria, colic and viral respiratory tract disease consistently ranked as the top two medical issues among all respondents.
  • There was variation, however, in the ranking of the third to fifth major diseases when these factors were considered.

This study effectively highlights the most pressing medical issues as perceived by practicing equine veterinarians, which can be useful in guiding future research and therapeutic efforts in this field. It also sheds light on the importance of different practice-related factors in influencing disease prevalence and diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Traub-Dargatz JL, Salman MD, Voss JL. (1991). Medical problems of adult horses, as ranked by equine practitioners. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 198(10), 1745-1747.

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 198
Issue: 10
Pages: 1745-1747

Researcher Affiliations

Traub-Dargatz, J L
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Salman, M D
    Voss, J L

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Colic / epidemiology
      • Colic / veterinary
      • Dermatitis / epidemiology
      • Dermatitis / veterinary
      • Endometritis / epidemiology
      • Endometritis / veterinary
      • Female
      • Hemorrhage / epidemiology
      • Hemorrhage / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Lung Diseases / epidemiology
      • Lung Diseases / veterinary
      • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / epidemiology
      • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
      • Parasitic Diseases / epidemiology
      • Parasitic Diseases, Animal
      • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
      • Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary
      • Surveys and Questionnaires
      • Tooth Diseases / epidemiology
      • Tooth Diseases / veterinary
      • United States / epidemiology
      • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
      • Virus Diseases / veterinary

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