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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Mortality rates and associated factors in equine colic opera...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1983; 24(3); 76-85;

Mortality rates and associated factors in equine colic operations – a retrospective study of 341 operations.

Abstract: A retrospective survey of 300 surgical treatments for colic involving 341 interventions was carried out to determine mortality rates and associated factors. These horses had been referred to the Ontario Veterinary College over the period September 1974 to February 1980. Data from the case records was collected and stored on a computer and statistical analysis was carried out using X(2) tests.Fifty percent (150/300) of the horses survived to be discharged from the hospital. Fifty-two horses were euthanized during the operation and another ten horses should have been; if these cases are excluded the overall survival rate is 64.7% (150/232). A wide range of breeds were involved but the breed did not significantly affect survival. There was a significantly greater occurrence of serious colic in the two week to two month and one to two year age groups and significantly less in the two to four year age groups when compared with the total number of horses admitted over the same period. There was an even distribution of male and female horses but males showed a significantly lower mortality rate (57% of the males survived compared with 43% of the females). The size of the animal did not affect survival significantly. There was no seasonal variation when compared with the total number of equine patients.Survival was significantly influenced by the lesion, the preoperative packed cell volume and total plasma protein and by the length of the surgical procedure.
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Publication Date: 1983-03-01 PubMed ID: 17422234PubMed Central: PMC1790318
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  • Journal Article

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 conducted a retrospective analysis of 341 surgeries involved in treating horse colic to determine death rates and contributing factors. In simpler terms, the researchers looked at past surgeries to identify why horses with colic sometimes don’t survive the treatment.

Research Scope and Methods

  • The research team looked at 300 horse colic surgical treatments, which altogether included 341 separate interventions or procedures.
  • The studied cases were all referred to the Ontario Veterinary College, with the data spanning from September 1974 to February 1980.
  • They collected the data and stored it digitally for statistical analysis, making use of X(2) or chi-square tests. These tests are a form of statistical hypothesis testing that is useful for determining if there are significant differences between categorical variables – in this case, factors and conditions relating to the horses and associated mortality rates.

Main Findings

  • From the examined surgeries, half of the horses (150 out of 300) survived and were discharged from the hospital successfully.
  • The overall survival rate, when excluding the 62 horses that should have been euthanized during or after the operation, was reported as 64.7%.
  • Although a wide range of horse breeds were included in the study, breed was found not to have a significant impact on survival rates.
  • There was a notably greater occurrence of severe horse colic in two specific age groups: two weeks to two months, and one to two years. On the contrary, the rate was significantly lower in the two to four-year age groups.
  • Despite an even distribution of male and female horses, male horses had a statistically lower death rate, with 57% of the males surviving compared to 43% of the females.
  • The study found no significant correlation between the size of the horses and their survival rates, and there was no notable variation in survival rates related to the seasons.
  • The research determined several factors that significantly influenced the survival of the horses, including the specific colon abnormality or “lesion,” pre-operative packed cell volume and total plasma protein (markers of dehydration and systemic inflammation), as well as the duration of the surgical procedure.

Cite This Article

APA
Pascoe PJ, McDonell WN, Trim CM, Van Gorder J. (1983). Mortality rates and associated factors in equine colic operations – a retrospective study of 341 operations. Can Vet J, 24(3), 76-85.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 3
Pages: 76-85

Researcher Affiliations

Pascoe, P J
    McDonell, W N
      Trim, C M
        Van Gorder, J

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 15 times.
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