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Equine veterinary journal1997; 29(6); 448-453; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03157.x

Prospective study of equine colic incidence and mortality.

Abstract: A prospective study of one year was conducted on 31 horse farms to obtain population based estimates of incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of equine colic. Farms with greater than 20 horses were enrolled by randomly selecting horse owners from 2 adjacent counties of Virginia and Maryland. Descriptive information for 1427 horses was collected at the initiation of the study and updated at 3 month intervals. Time on the farm during the study was tabulated for each horse. When colic was reported by the owner, investigators visited the farm to obtain information about the colic. The crude incidence density rate of colic was 10.6 colic cases/100 horse-years, based on 104 cases/358,991 horse-days. The median farm specific incidence density rate was 7 cases/100 horse-years, and the range for individual farms varied from 0 to 30 colic cases/100 horse-years. A specific diagnosis was not made for 84 (81%) of colic episodes. Seventy colic episodes (67%) were treated by a veterinarian. Drugs were used in 83 (80%) colic episodes, and 78 (75%) of colic cases were mild, requiring no treatment or resolving after only one treatment. Four horses required colic surgery. Fourteen (13%) horses had more than one episode of colic during the year. Mortality from all causes of death was 2.5 deaths/100 horse-years, mortality rate for colic was 0.7 deaths/100 horse-years. Proportional mortality rate of colic, 28%, was higher than for any other cause of death. Horses less than age 2 years or greater than age 10 years had lower incidence than horses age 2-10 years. No difference in colic risk between genders was identified. Arabian horses had the lowest and Thoroughbreds the highest breed specific incidence rates. Horses used for eventing, or in training had a statistically significant higher incidence rate of colic compared to mature horses with no use (pets, retired, on pasture with no stated purpose). Horses used for lessons or with no use had the lowest incidence rates.
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Publication Date: 1997-12-31 PubMed ID: 9413717DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03157.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study focuses on exploring the incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates of equine colic in horse farms over a year-long period, detailing factors that influence the risk of colic including the age, breed, and usage of horses.

Methodology of the Research

  • The researchers conducted a year-long prospective study on 31 horse farms, all of which had more than 20 horses.
  • The farms were selected randomly from two neighboring counties in Virginia and Maryland.
  • A total of 1,427 horses were part of the study and their data – such as their age, breed, and their usage – was collected and updated every three months.
  • The study also noted the amount of time each horse spent on the farm during the research period.
  • When a horse was reported to have colic by its owner, the investigators would personally visit the farm to gather additional information.

    • Findings Regarding Colic Incidence

    • The study found that the crude incidence density rate of colic was 10.6 cases per 100 horse-years. This was calculated based on 104 reported cases over a period equating to 358,991 horse-days.
    • The median farm-specific incidence density rate was 7 cases per 100 horse-years, but this varied significantly across the farms studied, ranging from 0 to 30 colic cases per 100 horse-years.
    • They observed that for 81% of the reported colic episodes, a specific diagnosis was not made.
    • Most of the colic episodes (67%) were treated by a veterinarian, and drugs were administered in 80% of cases.
    • A major proportion of detected colic cases (75%) were classified as ‘mild’, and therefore either did not require any treatment or were resolved after a single treatment.
    • Only four horses needed surgery as a result of colic.
    • Just over a tenth (13%) of horses studied suffered more than one episode of colic over the course of the year.

      • Mortality Results

      • The mortality rate from all causes was 2.5 deaths per 100 horse-years.
      • Colic was responsible for a mortality rate of 0.7 deaths per 100 horse-years, and as such was the leading cause of horse death in the sample, accounting for 28% of all horse deaths.

        • Influence of Age, Breed, and Usage of Horses

        • Horses under the age of 2 years or over the age of 10 had lower colic incidence rates than horses aged between 2 to 10 years.
        • No correlation was found between a horse’s gender and its risk of contracting colic.
        • In terms of breeds, Arabian horses had the lowest colic incidence rates, while Thoroughbreds experienced the highest.
        • The usage of horses was also found to impact colic incidence rates. Horses used for eventing or training displayed a statistically significant higher colic incidence rate than idle mature horses.
        • Conversely, horses used for lessons or horses with no specific usage had the lowest colic incidence rates.

Cite This Article

APA
Tinker MK, White NA, Lessard P, Thatcher CD, Pelzer KD, Davis B, Carmel DK. (1997). Prospective study of equine colic incidence and mortality. Equine Vet J, 29(6), 448-453. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03157.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 6
Pages: 448-453

Researcher Affiliations

Tinker, M K
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, USA.
White, N A
    Lessard, P
      Thatcher, C D
        Pelzer, K D
          Davis, B
            Carmel, D K

              MeSH Terms

              • Age Factors
              • Analysis of Variance
              • Animals
              • Breeding
              • Cohort Studies
              • Colic / epidemiology
              • Colic / mortality
              • Colic / veterinary
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / mortality
              • Horse Diseases / therapy
              • Horses
              • Incidence
              • Male
              • Maryland / epidemiology
              • Morbidity
              • Prospective Studies
              • Risk Factors
              • Seasons
              • Sex Factors
              • Virginia / epidemiology

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