Prophylactic digital cryotherapy is associated with decreased incidence of laminitis in horses diagnosed with colitis.
Abstract: Recent research suggested that prophylactic digital cryotherapy (ICE) improved lameness scores, diminished histological changes and early laminar inflammatory signalling in horses following oligofructose administration. In clinical practice, horses at risk for sepsis-associated laminitis receive ICE. Evidence to support this practice is lacking. Objective: To determine factors associated with development of laminitis in horses diagnosed with colitis, including ICE. Methods: Multicentre retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records for horses admitted to 2 university hospitals diagnosed with colitis with evidence of systemic inflammatory response from 2002 to 2012 were reviewed. Horses were excluded if they exhibited signs of laminitis at admission, were ponies, miniature or draught breeds, or <2 years old. Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Twenty-seven of 130 horses (21%) developed laminitis. Seven of 69 (10%) horses treated with ICE developed laminitis compared with 20/61 (33%) horses that developed laminitis but did not receive ICE. Factors associated with laminitis included site of hospitalisation, admission respiratory rate (↑) and blood L-lactate (↑), and ICE (↓), P<0.05. Horses treated with ICE had 10 times less odds of developing laminitis compared with horses treated without ICE (odds ratio 0.11, 95% confidence limit 0.03-0.44). Sixteen horses (16/130, 12%) were subjected to euthanasia in hospital. Fourteen of these horses had laminitis and 2 did not develop laminitis. Survival for horses with colitis that developed laminitis was 13/27 (48%) compared with survival for horses with colitis that did not develop laminitis, 101/103 (98%). Conclusions: Laminitis occurred in more clinically compromised horses. Use of ICE reduced the incidence of clinical laminitis in the study population suggesting that digital cryotherapy is an effective prophylactic strategy for the prevention of laminitis in horses with colitis.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-12-05 PubMed ID: 23927380DOI: 10.1111/evj.12156Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the impact of digital cryotherapy on preventing laminitis, a painful inflammatory condition, in horses diagnosed with colitis. The study concludes the use of cryotherapy significantly reduces the incidence of clinical laminitis, thereby proving to be an effective proactive strategy in preventing this condition in horses with colitis.
Research Methodology
- The investigators conducted a multicentre retrospective case study. This involved reviewing the medical records of horses diagnosed with colitis and evidence of systemic inflammatory response. These records were from two university hospitals and covered a period from 2002 to 2012.
- There were certain exclusion parameters, such as horses showing symptoms of laminitis upon admission, ponies, miniature or draught breeds, or horses less than 2 years old.
- Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the data and to determine the factors associated with the development of laminitis in horses diagnosed with colitis.
Key Findings
- Out of 130 horses, 21% developed laminitis. Only 10% of horses treated with digital cryotherapy (ICE) developed laminitis, as compared to 33% that were not treated with ICE.
- Multiple factors like hospitalization site, admission respiratory rate (increased), blood L-lactate (increased), and ICE (decreased) had a significant association with the development of laminitis, with P<0.05.
- The study found horses treated with ICE had 10 times less odds of developing laminitis compared to those not treated with ICE. The odds ratio was observed to be 0.11, within a 95% confidence limit of 0.03-0.44.
Significance and Conclusion
- The study concludes that laminitis is more likely to occur in horses with more severe clinical compromises.
- The use of digital cryotherapy reduced the incidence of laminitis in the study population, indicating its effectiveness as a prophylactic strategy.
- It’s worth noting the study also reveals a lower survival rate for horses with colitis that developed laminitis, highlighting the urgency and importance of preventing this condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Kullmann A, Holcombe SJ, Hurcombe SD, Roessner HA, Hauptman JG, Geor RJ, Belknap J.
(2013).
Prophylactic digital cryotherapy is associated with decreased incidence of laminitis in horses diagnosed with colitis.
Equine Vet J, 46(5), 554-559.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12156 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colitis / complications
- Colitis / veterinary
- Cryotherapy / veterinary
- Female
- Foot Diseases / etiology
- Foot Diseases / prevention & control
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Ice
- Inflammation / etiology
- Inflammation / prevention & control
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
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