FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Prospective survey of veterinary practitioners’ primar...
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-07-07 PubMed ID: 25238179PubMed Central: PMC4123044DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S2Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 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

          References

          This article includes 33 references
          1. Proudman C. A two year, prospective survey of equine colic in general practice.. Eq Vet J 1992;24:90–93.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02789.xpubmed: 1582399google scholar: lookup
          2. Dabareiner RM, White NA. Large colon impaction in horses: 147 cases (1985-1991). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995;206:679–85.
            pubmed: 7744691
          3. Reeves MJ, Salman MD, Smith G. Risk factors for equine acute abdominal disease (colic): Results from a multi-center case-control study.. Prev Vet Med 1996;26:285–301.
            doi: 10.1016/0167-5877(95)00551-Xgoogle scholar: lookup
          4. Plummer AE, Rakestraw PC, Hardy J, Lee RM. Outcome of medical and surgical treatment of cecal impaction in horses: 114 cases (1994-2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007;231:1378–85.
            doi: 10.2460/javma.231.9.1378pubmed: 17975999google scholar: lookup
          5. Rhoads WS, Barton MH, Parks AH. Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for impaction of the small colon in horses: 84 cases (1986-1996). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:1042–7.
            pubmed: 10200801
          6. Kaneene JB, Miller R, Ross WA, Gallagher K, Marteniuk J, Rook J. Risk factors for colic in the Michigan (USA) equine population.. Prev Vet Med 1997;30:23–36.
            doi: 10.1016/S0167-5877(96)01102-6pubmed: 9234409google scholar: lookup
          7. Hillyer MH, Taylor FG, Proudman CJ, Edwards GB, Smith JE, French NP. Case control study to identify risk factors for simple colonic obstruction and distension colic in horses.. Eq Vet J 2002;34(5):455–463.
            pubmed: 12358047
          8. Newton SA. Three cases of pelvic flexure impaction in the horse.. Eq Vet Ed 1998;10:284–290.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.1998.tb00896.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          9. Tinker MK, White NA, Lessard P, Thatcher CD, Pelzer KD, Davis B, Carmel DK. Prospective study of equine colic risk factors.. Eq Vet J 1997;29:454–8.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03158.xpubmed: 9413718google scholar: lookup
          10. Hillyer MH, Taylor FG, French NP. A cross-sectional study of colic in horses on thoroughbred training premises in the British Isles in 1997.. Eq Vet J 2001;33(4):380–385.
            doi: 10.2746/042516401776249499pubmed: 11469771google scholar: lookup
          11. Mair TS. Clinical signs of colic. In: Manual of Equine Gastroenterology. Mair, T. S., Divers, T., and Ducharme, N., editor. London: WB Saunders; 2002. pp. 107–108.
          12. Ashley FH, Waterman-Pearson AE, Whay HR. Behavioural assessment of pain in horses and donkeys: application to clinical practice and future studies.. Equine Veterinary Journal 2005;37(6):565–575.
            pubmed: 16295937
          13. Southwood LL. Patient signalement and history. In: Practical guide to equine colic. Southwood LL, editor. Wiley Blackwell, Iowa; 2013. pp. 1–12.
          14. Elfenbein JR, Robertson SA, Corser AA, Urion RJ, Sanchez LC. Systemic effects of a prolonged continuous infusion of ketamine in healthy horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2011;25:1134–1137.
            doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0761.xpubmed: 21781164google scholar: lookup
          15. Kopf N. Rectal examination of the colic patient. In: Current Therapy in Equine Medicine. Robinson NE, editor. WB Saunders; 1987. p. 23.
          16. Hallowell GD. Retrospective study assessing efficacy of treatment of large colonic impactions.. Eq Vet J 2008;40:411–413.
            doi: 10.2746/042516408X288282pubmed: 18321804google scholar: lookup
          17. Cohen ND, Matejka PL, Honnas CM, Hooper RN. Case-control study of the association between various management factors and development of colic in horses. Texas Equine Colic Study Group.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995;206:667–73.
            pubmed: 7744689
          18. Hudson JM, Cohen ND, Gibbs PG, Thompson JA. Feeding practices associated with colic in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;219:1419–1425.
            doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.219.1419pubmed: 11724182google scholar: lookup
          19. Tinker MK, White NA, Lessard P, Thatcher CD, Pelzer KD, Davis B, Carmel DK. Prospective study of equine colic incidence and mortality.. Eq Vet J 1997;29(6):448–453.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03157.xpubmed: 9413717google scholar: lookup
          20. Archer DC, Pinchbeck GL, Proudman CJ, Clough HE. Is equine colic seasonal? Novel application of a model based approach.. BMC Vet Res 2006;2:27.
            doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-2-27pmc: PMC1570133pubmed: 16930473google scholar: lookup
          21. Orton RK, Hume ID, Leng RA. Effects of exercise and level of dietary protein on digestive function in horses.. Eq Vet J 1985;17:386–390.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02530.xpubmed: 4054090google scholar: lookup
          22. Parry BW, Anderson GA, Gay CC. Prognosis in equine colic: a comparative study of variables used to assess individual cases.. Eq Vet J 1983;15:211–215.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01768.xpubmed: 6884310google scholar: lookup
          23. Parry BW, Anderson GA, Gay CC. Prognosis in equine colic: a study of individual variables used in case assessment.. Eq Vet J 1983;15:337–344.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01818.xpubmed: 6641680google scholar: lookup
          24. Reeves MJ, Gay JM, Hilbert BJ, Morris RS. Association of age, sex and breed factors in acute equine colic: A retrospective study of 320 cases admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital in the U.S.A.. Prev Vet Med 1989;7:149–160.
            doi: 10.1016/0167-5877(89)90006-8google scholar: lookup
          25. Thoefner MB, Ersbøll AK, Hesselholt M. Prognostic indicators in a Danish hospital-based population of colic horses.. Eq Vet J 2000;32:11–18.
            pubmed: 11202376
          26. Lester GD, Merritt GD, Kuck HV, Burrow JA. Systemic, renal, and colonic effects of intravenous and enteral rehydration in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2013;27:554–566.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.12073pubmed: 23551797google scholar: lookup
          27. Roelvink M, Goossens L, Kalsbeek H, Wensing T. Analgesic and spasmolytic effects of dipyrone, hyoscine-N-butylbromide and a combination of the two in ponies.. Vet Rec 1991;129:378–380.
            doi: 10.1136/vr.129.17.378pubmed: 1746114google scholar: lookup
          28. Freeman SL, England GCW. Effect of romifidine on gastrointestinal motility, assessed by transrectal ultrasonography.. Equine Vet J 2001;33(6):570–576.
            pubmed: 11720028
          29. Adams SB, Lamar CH, Masty J. Motility of the distal portion of the jejunum and pelvic flexure in ponies: effects of six drugs.. Am J Vet Res 1984;45:795–798.
            pubmed: 6731996
          30. Roger T, Ruckebusch Y. Pharmacological modulation of postprandial colonic motor activity in the pony.. J Vet Pharm Therap 1987;10:273–282.
            doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1987.tb00102.xpubmed: 2893839google scholar: lookup
          31. England G, Clarke K, Goossens L. A comparison of the sedative effects of three α2-adrenoceptor agonists (romifidine, detomidine and xylazine) in the horse.. J Vet Pharm Therap 1992;15:194–201.
            doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1992.tb01007.xpubmed: 1359161google scholar: lookup
          32. Freeman SL, England GCW. Investigation of romifidine and detomidine for the clinical sedation of horses.. Vet Rec 2000;147:507–511.
            doi: 10.1136/vr.147.18.507pubmed: 11110491google scholar: lookup
          33. Lees P, Giraudel J, Landoni MF, Toutain PL. PK–PD integration and PK–PD modelling of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: principles and applications in veterinary pharmacology.. J Vet Pharm Therap 2004;27:491–502.
            doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2004.00618.xpubmed: 15601443google scholar: lookup
          Subscribe to our newsletter
          Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.