Prognosticating equine colic.
Abstract: Prognosticating survival in horses with colic is challenging because of the number of diseases and pathophysiologic processes that can cause the behavior. Although the treatment of horses with colic has improved dramatically over the years, case fatality can still be high because of the delay in recognizing the problem, the time delay inherent in receiving veterinary care, and the lack of effective treatment for the more severe diseases. Intensive case management and surgery for these horses may be expensive and emotionally draining for owners; therefore, providing an accurate prognosis is key to decisions needed for case management. This article is dedicated to recent advances in applying a prognosis for survival in horses at higher risk for a fatal outcome.
Publication Date: 2009-07-08 PubMed ID: 19580935DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2009.04.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research focuses on the difficulties in accurately forecasting survival rates of horses suffering from colic. It identifies the vast range of diseases that may cause this behavior, notes the challenges in timely treatment due to late recognition and receiving veterinary care, and points out the financial and emotional costs of intensive case management. The study further explores the significance of an accurate prognosis to guide management decisions, while discussing recent advances in determining the prognosis for high-risk horses.
Background
- The research explores the complexities of predicting outcomes for horses afflicted with colic, a term used to describe severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen that is seen commonly in horses.
- Several diseases and pathophysiologic processes can cause colic, further complicating the task of providing an accurate prognosis.
Treatment Challenges
- The treatment of equine colic has significantly improved over time, yet the fatality rate remains substantial.
- Causes for high fatalities include delays in recognizing the problem, lengthy gaps in delivering veterinary care, and the limited scope of effective treatments for the more severe diseases causing colic.
Implications of Intensive Case Management
- The research indicates that intensive case management is not only resource-intensive, but may also entail emotional hardship for the caregivers or owners.
- Thus, providing an accurate, reliable prognosis for the expected outcomes in cases of equine colic is critical for helping caregivers and vet professionals make informed decisions about case management.
Recent Advances and Focus on High-Risk Cases
- The research concludes by elaborating on the recent advances in determining the prognosis for horses at a higher risk of fatal outcomes due to colic.
- The implication is that, with these advances, it may become easier to make decisions about case management and possibly reduce both the financial and emotional burden on caregivers and owners.
Cite This Article
APA
Dukti S, White NA.
(2009).
Prognosticating equine colic.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 25(2), 217-231.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2009.04.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Leesburg, VA 20177, USA. sdukti@vt.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / economics
- Colic / epidemiology
- Colic / mortality
- Colic / veterinary
- Digestive System Surgical Procedures / veterinary
- Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology
- Gastrointestinal Tract / surgery
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Incidence
- Prognosis
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