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Preventive veterinary medicine1997; 30(1); 23-36; doi: 10.1016/s0167-5877(96)01102-6

Risk factors for colic in the Michigan (USA) equine population.

Abstract: A population-based prospective epidemiological study was conducted to assess risk factors for equine colic. A stratified sample of 3925 equids in 138 randomly selected equine farms in the state of Michigan was monitored in two 12-month rounds of data collection. Incidence densities were used to describe the rate of development of colic in the study population. Mortality rates, case fatality rates and survival rates were used to describe the severity of colic on the study population. Multivariable logistic regressions with random effects (grouped according to farm) were used to identify risk factors associated with occurrence of colic. A total of 3175 equids from 132 farms from the starting population of 3925 equids in 138 farms was used in the multivariable analysis. There were 77 cases of colic reported during the study period in 62 animals. Of these animals, 54 (87%) had one case, 5 (8%) had two cases, 2 (3%) had three cases, and 1 (2%) had seven cases. Of the cases reported, 49 (64%) were non-specific diagnoses, 13 (17%) impaction/acute intestinal obstruction colics, 7 (9%) spasmodic colics, 4 (5%) sand colics, 2 (3%) gas colics, 1 (1%) verminous mesenteric arteritis, and 1 (1%) enteritis due to ingestion of moldy grain. The annual incidence density of colic in the study was 3.5 cases per 100 equid-years. The surgical treatment risk was 17% (13/77). The overall mortality risk due to colic was 0.5 deaths per 100 equids, and the case fatality risk was 13% (10/77). The case fatality risk for cases treated surgically was 31% (4/13), while the case fatality risk for non-surgical colics was 10% (7/69). Risk factors associated with significantly increased likelihood of developing colic were foaling during the study, deworming during the study, increased age, and participation in showing activities. Geldings and equids provided group drinking water from sources other than tanks, buckets and automatic waterers were significantly associated with reduced risk of colic.
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Publication Date: 1997-04-01 PubMed ID: 9234409DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(96)01102-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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 discussed risk factors for equine colic in the Michigan horse population, based on a survey of selected farms. The study found increased age, participation in shows, and events such as deworming or foaling during the survey period as risk factors. It also found that drinking water from other sources like tanks, buckets, or automatic waterers, and being a gelding reduced the colic risk.

Research Design and Participants

  • The study was a prospective epidemiological study and involved a stratified sample of 3925 equines located on 138 randomly selected farms in the state of Michigan.
  • The researchers followed this population for two 12-month rounds of data collection.
  • Only 3175 equids from 132 farms remained at the end of the study and were used in the multivariable analysis.

Method of Analysis

  • The researchers used incidence densities to describe the rate of development of colic in the study population.
  • Mortality rates, case fatality rates, and survival rates were also calculated to provide insights about the severity of colic among the equines.
  • They used multivariable logistic regressions (grouped according to farm) to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of colic.

Results of the Study

  • The study recorded 77 cases of colic during the period, affecting 62 animals. Out of these, 54 animals (around 87%) had one case of colic, 5 (8%) had two cases, 2 (3%) had three cases, and 1 (2%) had seven cases.
  • The colic cases were also classified by type, the most common being non-specific diagnoses, followed by impaction/acute intestinal obstruction, spasmodic colic, sand colic, gas colic, verminous mesenteric arteritis, and enteritis from eating moldy grain.
  • The annual incidence density of colic was found to be 3.5 cases per 100 equid-years.
  • The overall mortality risk due to colic was 0.5 deaths per 100 equids, while the case fatality risk was 13%. The case fatality risk was higher for cases treated surgically (31%) than for non-surgical cases (10%).

Key Findings

  • The study found that foaling during the study, deworming during the study, increased age, and participation in showing activities significantly increased the likelihood of an equine developing colic.
  • Geldings and equines provided with group drinking water from sources other than tanks, buckets, and automatic waterers were found to have reduced risks of colic.

Cite This Article

APA
Kaneene JB, Miller R, Ross WA, Gallagher K, Marteniuk J, Rook J. (1997). Risk factors for colic in the Michigan (USA) equine population. Prev Vet Med, 30(1), 23-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(96)01102-6

Publication

Preventive veterinary medicine
ISSN: 0167-5877
NlmUniqueID: 8217463
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 23-36

Researcher Affiliations

Kaneene, J B
  • Population Medicine Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1314, USA. KANEENE@cvm.msu.edu
Miller, R
    Ross, W A
      Gallagher, K
        Marteniuk, J
          Rook, J

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Colic / epidemiology
            • Colic / mortality
            • Colic / veterinary
            • Female
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / mortality
            • Horse Diseases / surgery
            • Horses
            • Incidence
            • Linear Models
            • Male
            • Michigan / epidemiology
            • Models, Biological
            • Multivariate Analysis
            • Prospective Studies
            • Regression Analysis
            • Risk Factors
            • Survival Rate

            Citations

            This article has been cited 17 times.
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