Risk factors for history of previous colic and for chronic, intermittent colic in a population of horses.
Abstract: To identify risk factors for recurrent colic and chronic, intermittent colic in horses. Methods: Case control study. Methods: The population included 768 horses examined by veterinarians for emergencies other than colic (control group). Methods: Horses with colic that had history of colic (n = 232) were compared with those without such history (n = 536), using logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for history of previous colic and to determine odds ratios (OR) for these associations. Among the 232 horses in the history of colic group, 58 horses that had chronic, intermittent colic were compared with the no history of colic group and the control group to identify factors associated with chronic, intermittent colic, using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Among horses with colic, factors significantly associated with history of colic by multiple logistic regression analysis included history of abdominal surgery (OR = 3.1; P 8 years (OR = 1.5; P 8 years (OR = 2.0; P < 0.0001), being a gelding (OR = 1.7 with female as the reference population; P = 0.002), feeding of coastal grass hay (OR = 1.6; P = 0.045), and farm density < 0.5 horses/acre (OR = 1.6; P = 0.003). When the CIC group was compared with the control group, significant risk factors included history of abdominal surgery (OR = 270.7; P 8 years (OR = 2.4; P < 0.0001), recent change in diet (OR = 2.1; P = 0.005), farm density < 0.5 horses/acre (OR = 2.0; P = 0.0001); being a gelding (OR = 1.8, with female as the reference population; P = 0.002), and Arabian breed (OR = 1.6; P = 0.050). Conclusions: Certain findings of signalment and management factors may identify horses at increased risk of recurrent forms of colic.
Publication Date: 1996-03-01 PubMed ID: 8617626
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a study on identifying factors that may increase the risk of recurrent and chronic colic in horses. The study finds that previous abdominal surgery, age over 8 years, certain feeding habits, breed and change in stabling conditions and farm density are significant indicators of past and chronic colic.
Methods
- The study included a total of 768 horses, examined by veterinarians for emergencies other than colic, serving as the control group.
- A group of 232 horses with colic and a past history of it was compared to 536 horses without such history.
- A statistical tool called logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors and calculate odds ratios (OR), signifying the extent of these associations.
- Out of the 232 horses with a history of colic, another sub-group of 58 horses with chronic, intermittent colic was compared with those with no history of colic and the control group. This comparison was meant to identify factors associated with chronic, intermittent colic.
Results
- The results showed that among horses with colic, a history of abdominal surgery, age over 8 years, feeding of coastal grass hay, Arabian bread, recent change in stabling and the breed of the horse (Arabian) were significant risk factors associated with a history of colic.
- For chronic, intermittent colic, the identified risk factors were remarkably similar: history of previous abdominal surgery, age over 8 years, being a gelding (castrated male horse), feeding of coastal grass hay, and farm density of less than 0.5 horses per acre.
- When the chronic, intermittent colic group was compared to the control group, these risk factors differed slightly including history of abdominal surgery, age over 8 years, recent change in diet, farm density of less than 0.5 horses/acre; being a gelding, and the Arabian breed.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that certain characteristics, along with certain management factors, can be used to identify horses at an increased risk for recurring forms of colic.
- The factors identified can assist in early diagnosis, prevention and management of colic in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Cohen ND, Peloso JG.
(1996).
Risk factors for history of previous colic and for chronic, intermittent colic in a population of horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 208(5), 697-703.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843-4475, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Chronic Disease
- Colic / epidemiology
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Logistic Models
- Male
- Recurrence
- Risk Factors
- Texas / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Fernandes KA, Rogers CW, Gee EK, Kittelmann S, Bolwell CF, Bermingham EN, Biggs PJ, Thomas DG. Resilience of Faecal Microbiota in Stabled Thoroughbred Horses Following Abrupt Dietary Transition between Freshly Cut Pasture and Three Forage-Based Diets. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 6;11(9).
- Padalino B, Raidal SL. Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 17;10(1).
- Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
- Salem SE, Hough R, Probert C, Maddox TW, Antczak P, Ketley JM, Williams NJ, Stoneham SJ, Archer DC. A longitudinal study of the faecal microbiome and metabolome of periparturient mares. PeerJ 2019;7:e6687.
- Salem SE, Maddox TW, Berg A, Antczak P, Ketley JM, Williams NJ, Archer DC. Variation in faecal microbiota in a group of horses managed at pasture over a 12-month period. Sci Rep 2018 May 31;8(1):8510.
- Whitehead AE, Whitty J, Scott M, Léguillette R. Reversible dysphagia secondary to guttural pouch mycosis in a gelding treated medically with voriconazole and surgically with carotid occlusion and esophagostomy. Can Vet J 2018 Feb;59(2):165-170.
- Kaikkonen R, Niinistö K, Sykes B, Anttila M, Sankari S, Raekallio M. Diagnostic evaluation and short-term outcome as indicators of long-term prognosis in horses with findings suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease treated with corticosteroids and anthelmintics. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Jun 3;56(1):35.
- Williams S, Horner J, Orton E, Green M, McMullen S, Mobasheri A, Freeman SL. Water intake, faecal output and intestinal motility in horses moved from pasture to a stabled management regime with controlled exercise. Equine Vet J 2015 Jan;47(1):96-100.
- Schank N, Cottone A, Wulf M, Seiter K, Thomas B, Miller LMJ, Anderson SL, Sahyoun A, Abidi AH, Kassan M, Verma A. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) in Colic and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 3;15(23).
- Lertratanachai S, Poochipakorn C, Sanigavatee K, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Charoenchanikran P, Lawsirirat C, Chanda M. Cortisol levels, heart rate, and autonomic responses in horses during repeated road transport with differently conditioned trucks in a tropical environment. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0301885.
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