Peri-anaesthetic complications in an equine referral hospital: Risk factors for post anaesthetic colic.

This study analyses the peri-anaesthetic complications (problems arising around the time of anaesthesia) that occur in horses, focusing primarily on the risk factors for developing post anaesthetic colic. The research found a higher risk in Thoroughbred racehorses and among those receiving a specific antibiotic, sodium benzylpenicillin (NaBP).

Methods & Participants

• The study was a single centre retrospective observational study which analysed anaesthetic and case records of all horses, at least 12 months old, that underwent general anaesthesia at the Newmarket Equine Hospital between August 2010 and April 2012.
• The researchers excluded cases related to emergency procedures like abdominal/dystocia or traumatology cases with cardiovascular compromise.
• The study dataset consisted of 1067 anaesthetic records of 1021 horses, among which 702 horses were Thoroughbred (TB).

Outcome & Analyses

• Mortality and morbidity rates were calculated and described.
• Separate uni-variable and multi-variable analyses were conducted to identify the correlation between post anaesthetic colic (PAC) and potential risk factors.
• The most common post-anaesthetic complication faced was colic, with 10.5% of horses developing it within 7 days of general anaesthesia.
• From the study, it was revealed that horses who had an anaesthesia-related complication within 7 days were around 15.8% of the population.

Conclusions & Implications

• The study concluded that Thoroughbred racehorses are at a higher risk of PAC, suggesting a need for more critical evaluation of gastrointestinal function post-anaesthesia in these horses.
• Horses receiving the antibiotic sodium benzylpenicillin were found to be at increased risk of PAC.
• The role of sodium benzylpenicillin in PAC needs to be further investigated. If confirmed, an alternative for prophylactic antimicrobial therapy may need to be found.
• The mortality rate as a result of complications within 7 days of general anaesthesia was found to be around 0.94%.