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BMC veterinary research2014; 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1); S2; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S2

Prospective survey of veterinary practitioners’ primary assessment of equine colic: clinical features, diagnoses, and treatment of 120 cases of large colon impaction.

Abstract: Large colon impactions are a common cause of colic in the horse. There are no scientific reports on the clinical presentation, diagnostic tests and treatments used in first opinion practice for large colon impaction cases. The aim of this study was to describe the presentation, diagnostic approach and treatment at the primary assessment of horses with large colon impactions. Methods: Data were collected prospectively from veterinary practitioners on the primary assessment of equine colic cases over a 12 month period. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of primary large colon impaction and positive findings on rectal examination. Data recorded for each case included history, signalment, clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment on primary assessment and final case outcome. Case outcomes were categorised into three groups: simple medical (resolved with single treatment), complicated medical (resolved with multiple medical treatments) and critical (required surgery, were euthanased or died). Univariable analysis using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test, Kruskal Wallis with Dunn's post-hoc test and Chi squared analysis were used to compare between different outcome categories. Results: 1032 colic cases were submitted by veterinary practitioners: 120 cases met the inclusion criteria for large colon impaction. Fifty three percent of cases were categorised as simple medical, 36.6% as complicated medical, and 9.2% as critical. Most cases (42.1%) occurred during the winter. Fifty nine percent of horses had had a recent change in management, 43% of horses were not ridden, and 12.5% had a recent / current musculoskeletal injury. Mean heart rate was 43 bpm (range 26-88) and most cases showed mild signs of pain (67.5%) and reduced gut sounds (76%). Heart rate was significantly increased and gut sounds significantly decreased in critical compared to simple medical cases (p<0.05). Fifty different treatment combinations were used, with NSAIDs (93%) and oral fluids (71%) being administered most often. Conclusions: Large colon impactions typically presented with mild signs of colic; heart rate and gut sounds were the most useful parameters to distinguish between simple and critical cases at the primary assessment. The findings of seasonal incidence and associated management factors are consistent with other studies. Veterinary practitioners currently use a wide range of different treatment combinations for large colon impactions.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-07 PubMed ID: 25238179PubMed Central: PMC4123044DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S2Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 is concerned with developing a deeper understanding of large colon impactions, a frequent cause of colic in horses. It examines the standard scenario, diagnostic practices, and treatment methods observed by veterinarians during their primary assessment of these cases.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • This study set out to describe the usual presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment at the primary assessment stage for horses suffering from large colon impactions.
  • Data collection was carried out prospectively over a year by veterinary practitioners examining cases of equine colic. The reports were then filtered based on two primary criteria: diagnosis of primary large colon impaction, and positive findings on rectal examination.
  • For each case, numerous details were observed and noted down, including case history, clinical and diagnostic findings, the treatment provided during the primary assessment, and the ultimate outcome of the case.
  • Outcomes were planned to be categorized into three groups: simple medical (cases resolved with a single treatment), complicated medical (requiring multiple medical treatments), and critical (those that necessitated surgery, euthanasia, or cases where the horse died).
  • Approaches such as one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test in addition to Kruskal Wallis with Dunn’s test and Chi-squared analysis were used to evaluate the differences between varying outcome categories.

Findings

  • Out of the 1032 cases of colic reported by veterinary practitioners, only 120 met the criteria established for large colon impaction.
  • Approximately 53% of these cases were classified as simple medical, 36.6% as complicated medical, and 9.2% as critical.
  • A majority of the cases were reported during the winter season, and most of the horses involved had experienced a recent change in management. Additionally, 43% of them were not ridden, and 12.5% dealt with a current or recent musculoskeletal injury.
  • The mean heart rate for these horses was 43 bpm, and the majority showed mild signs of pain and reduced gut sounds.
  • Increased heart rates and significantly decreased gut sounds were distinctive of critical cases, when compared to simple medical cases.
  • Practitioners used a diverse range of treatment combinations for these large colon impactions. However, NSAIDs and oral fluids were most commonly administered, used in 93% and 71% of cases respectively.

Conclusions

  • Large colon impactions usually present with mild signs of colic. The heart rate and gut sounds are the key parameters in distinguishing between simple and critical cases at the point of primary assessment.
  • The noted trend of seasonal incidence and associated management factors are consistent with previous studies.
  • Veterinary practitioners currently utilize a wide array of treatment combinations for large colon impactions.

Cite This Article

APA
Jennings K, Curtis L, Burford J, Freeman S. (2014). Prospective survey of veterinary practitioners’ primary assessment of equine colic: clinical features, diagnoses, and treatment of 120 cases of large colon impaction. BMC Vet Res, 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S2

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10 Suppl 1
Issue: Suppl 1
Pages: S2

Researcher Affiliations

Jennings, Kyra
    Curtis, Laila
      Burford, John
        Freeman, Sarah

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Colic / diagnosis
          • Colic / therapy
          • Colic / veterinary
          • Colonic Diseases / diagnosis
          • Colonic Diseases / therapy
          • Colonic Diseases / veterinary
          • Data Collection
          • Fecal Impaction / diagnosis
          • Fecal Impaction / therapy
          • Fecal Impaction / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
          • Horse Diseases / therapy
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Seasons
          • Veterinarians

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 5 times.
          1. Mickevičienė I, Mikalauskienė D, Miknienė Z. The prognostic importance of physiological and biochemical parameters in horses afflicted with colic. Open Vet J 2024 Aug;14(8):1801-1807.
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          2. Benedetti B, Freccero F, Barton J, Elmallah F, Refat S, Padalino B. A Retrospective Study on the Status of Working Equids Admitted to an Equine Clinic in Cairo: Disease Prevalence and Associations between Physical Parameters and Outcome. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 6;14(5).
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          3. Wild I, Freeman S, Robles D, Matamoros D, Ortiz M, Rodriguez J, Burford J. Owners' Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 13;11(7).
            doi: 10.3390/ani11072087pubmed: 34359215google scholar: lookup
          4. Bowden A, Burford JH, Brennan ML, England GCW, Freeman SL. Horse owners' knowledge, and opinions on recognising colic in the horse. Equine Vet J 2020 Mar;52(2):262-267.
            doi: 10.1111/evj.13173pubmed: 31461570google scholar: lookup
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