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Equine veterinary journal2017; 50(4); 474-480; doi: 10.1111/evj.12779

Nonstrangulating intestinal infarctions associated with Strongylus vulgaris: Clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of 30 horses (2008-2016).

Abstract: Strongylus vulgaris is re-emerging in horses kept under surveillance-based parasite control regimens. Information on nonstrangulating intestinal infarction associated with S. vulgaris is needed to improve recognition of the condition. Objective: To describe the typical clinical presentation, laboratory findings, gross pathology, treatment and outcome of horses with nonstrangulating intestinal infarction. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Nonstrangluating intestinal infarction was diagnosed in 30 horses with a localised intestinal infarction with concurrent signs of S. vulgaris migration and no signs of intestinal strangulation or enterocolitis. Data were obtained from medical records in the period 2008-2016. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by telephonic interviews. Levels of S. vulgaris-specific antibodies were retrospectively assessed. Associations between nonstrangulating intestinal infarction and selected variables were evaluated using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The most consistent findings at admission were mild colic of >24 h duration without signs of shock or strangulated intestine, increased peritoneal fluid WBC (>5 × 109 /L), increased serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration and a positive S. vulgaris-specific antibody titre. Medical treatment was attempted in nine horses with none surviving. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 21 horses. Eleven horses were subjected to euthanasia intraoperatively due to the presumed poor prognosis. Of the nine horses, three (33%) undergoing intestinal resection survived to discharge. The surviving horses were alive and returned to athletic function for at least 2 years following discharge. Conclusions: Only nine of the 30 horses underwent resection of the infarcted intestine, and the prognosis for surgical intervention in nonstrangulating intestinal infarction is, therefore, difficult to estimate. Conclusions: In areas where S. vulgaris is prevalent, nonstrangulating intestinal infarction should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses presenting with mild colic and peritonitis. Survival of nonstrangulating intestinal infarction is possible in cases where surgical intervention with resection of the infarcted intestine is feasible. The summary is available in Spanish - see Supporting Information.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2017-11-27 PubMed ID: 29112788DOI: 10.1111/evj.12779Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of 30 horses suffering from non-strangulating intestinal infarctions linked with Strongylus vulgaris, a parasite, between 2008 and 2016. The findings suggest that, where the parasite is prevalent, non-strangulating intestinal infarction should be considered as a possible diagnosis for horses presenting with mild colic and peritonitis.

Research Objective and Methods

This study aims to understand non-strangulating intestinal infarction associated with the parasite Strongylus vulgaris in horses. This condition is a rising concern as S. vulgaris resurfaces more frequently in horses kept under surveillance-based parasite control systems. Non-strangulating intestinal infarction was diagnosed in 30 horses that exhibited:

  • Localised intestinal infarction
  • Concurrent signs of S. vulgaris migration
  • No signs of intestinal strangulation or entercolitis

Data collected from 2008-2016 from the horses’ medical records was retrospectively analysed. Long-term follow-up information was gained via telephone interviews. Tests were performed to determine levels of S. vulgaris-specific antibodies. The relationship between non-strangulating intestinal infarction and selected variables were explored using Fisher’s exact and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results and Findings

At admission, most of the horses:

  • Had mild colic for over 24 hours
  • Did not show signs of shock or strangulated intestine
  • Had increased white blood cells in the peritoneal fluid
  • Had increased serum amyloid A concentrations
  • Had a positive S. vulgaris-specific antibody titre

Medical treatment appropriately was tried on nine horses, but survival rates were nil. Twenty-one horses underwent exploratory laparotomy. Eleven horses were euthanised during the operation due to the poor prognosis. Three (33%) horses that underwent intestinal resection survived and were discharged. Two years post-discharge, these horses were alive and had returned to their athletic function.

Conclusions

Non-strangulating intestinal infarction diagnosis is significant in horses showing mild colic and peritonitis in areas with prevalent S. vulgaris. Surgical intervention with the resection of the infarcted intestine offers a chance of survival. However, it is difficult to estimate the prognosis for surgical intervention as only nine out of the 30 affected horses underwent surgical treatment.
The research provides vital data to improve the condition’s recognition, but further findings are needed for a definitive prognosis on surgical intervention in these cases.

Cite This Article

APA
Pihl TH, Nielsen MK, Olsen SN, Leifsson PS, Jacobsen S. (2017). Nonstrangulating intestinal infarctions associated with Strongylus vulgaris: Clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of 30 horses (2008-2016). Equine Vet J, 50(4), 474-480. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12779

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 4
Pages: 474-480

Researcher Affiliations

Pihl, T H
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Nielsen, M K
  • M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
Olsen, S N
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
Leifsson, P S
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Jacobsen, S
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Infarction / complications
  • Infarction / etiology
  • Infarction / veterinary
  • Intestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Intestinal Diseases / surgery
  • Intestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Strongylida Infections / complications
  • Strongylida Infections / diagnosis
  • Strongylida Infections / veterinary
  • Strongylus

Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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