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Veterinary surgery : VS2021; 50(8); 1579-1591; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13727

Outcomes of pregnant broodmares treated for colic at a tertiary care facility.

Abstract: To evaluate, following colic admission during pregnancy, (1) broodmare survival; (2) the frequency of recurrent colic in broodmares and its associated variables, and (3) pregnancy outcome and the variables associated with a negative pregnancy outcome. Methods: Ambidirectional observational cohort study. Methods: One hundred and four client-owned broodmare admissions. Methods: Admissions of pregnant mares from June 2010 until October 2016 were included. Data were collected until November 2017. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate variables associated with broodmare survival. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the variables associated with recurrent colic and pregnancy outcome. Results: Broodmares from 73/104 (70.2%) admissions were discharged alive. Lesion category, admission hyperlactatemia (hazard ratio (HR) 3.24, 95%, CI 1.28-8.22, P = .013), and admission high packed cell volume (HR 2.89, 95% CI 1.29-6.47, P = .010) were associated with reduced survival. Recurrent colic was observed in broodmares from 33/70 admissions (47.1%). The final multivariable model for recurrent colic included Thoroughbred breed (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.58-16.4, P = .006) and age (OR .876, 95% CI .747-1.03, P = .105). Overall, negative pregnancy outcome was 14/65 (21.5%). Lesion category, evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in hospital (OR 31.2, 95% CI 2.09-466.5, P = .013), and diarrhea in hospital (OR 379.3, 95% CI 97.1-1482.0, P < .001) were associated with increased negative pregnancy outcome. Altrenogest administration was inversely associated with negative pregnancy outcome (OR 0.029, 95% CI .004-.222, P = .001). Conclusions: Pregnant broodmares admitted for colic had lower survival than anticipated and were at risk of recurrent colic. Markers of broodmare disease severity were associated with pregnancy outcome. Conclusions: Lesion category, hematologic variables (packed cell volume and l-lactate concentration), evidence of SIRS, and diarrhea were useful for predicting broodmare and pregnancy outcomes.
© 2021 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-23 PubMed ID: 34558077DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13727Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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 study investigates the effects and outcomes of colic treatment in pregnant broodmares at a specialized care facility. It specifically looks at broodmare survival, the rate of recurrent colic and associated factors, as well as pregnancy outcomes and factors linked to negative outcomes.

Methodology

  • The study is an ambidirectional observational cohort research, conducted on 104 client-owned pregnant broodmares admitted to a facility from June 2010 to October 2016. Data collection carried on till November 2017.
  • A statistical technique, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, was used to examine the variables related to broodmare survival.
  • A logistic regression analysis was utilized to inspect the variables associated with recurrent colic and pregnancy outcomes.

Results

  • Out of the 104 admitted, 73 broodmares (70.2%) got discharged alive. Factors such as the lesion category, admission hyperlactatemia (high lactate levels in the blood), and a high packed cell volume (concentration of red blood cells in the blood) were linked to reduced survival rates.
  • Recurrent colic occurred in about 47.1% of the cases (33 out of 70 admissions). The final multivariable model for recurrent colic included being of the Thoroughbred breed and age as risk factors.
  • Indicators of negative pregnancy outcome (14 out of 65 cases or 21.5%) were lesion category, evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) while in hospital, and diarrhoea during the hospital stay. Interestingly, ‘Altrenogest’ (a synthetic progesterone used to regulate the estrous cycle in horses) administration was inversely linked with negative pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

  • Pregnant broodmares admitted for colic treatment showed lower survival rates than expected and were at risk of recurrent colic.
  • Indicator of broodmare illness severity were linked with pregnancy outcomes. Factors such as lesion category, hematologic variables (packed cell volume and l-lactate concentration), evidence of SIRS, and diarrhea were helpful in predicting broodmare and pregnancy outcomes.

The study’s findings are crucial in the care of pregnant broodmares suffering from colic. Better understanding of the associated risk factors can assist in implementing preventative and therapeutic strategies to improve both mare and foal outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Douglas HF, Stefanovski D, Southwood LL. (2021). Outcomes of pregnant broodmares treated for colic at a tertiary care facility. Vet Surg, 50(8), 1579-1591. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13727

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 8
Pages: 1579-1591

Researcher Affiliations

Douglas, Hope F
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Stefanovski, Darko
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Southwood, Louise L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tertiary Healthcare

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Bishop RC, Arrington JV, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM. Alterations in the Peritoneal Fluid Proteome of Horses with Colic Attributed to Ischemic and Non-Ischemic Intestinal Disease. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 30;15(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15111604pubmed: 40509070google scholar: lookup
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