Short-term outcome of equine emergency admissions at a university referral hospital.

The research article focused on investigating the short-term survival rates of emergency equine admissions at a university referral hospital over a year. The results indicate a 24% death rate, with certain health situations, age groups, and treatments associating with higher fatality rates. The study underscores the necessity for better understanding and developing treatments for critical illnesses, particularly in foal and geriatric populations.

Research Objective and Methods

• The researchers aimed to study the short-term outcome (meaning survival until discharge or death/euthanasia during hospitalization) for equine emergency admissions over a 12-month period. The primary purpose was to inform clients about potential prognoses and to pinpoint areas where case management can improve.
• They recorded several parameters such as the horse’s age, the month, day, and time of their admission, the presenting complaint (PC), the duration of the health problem before presenting, any clinical pathology abnormalities, and the various therapeutic procedures administered.

Key Findings

• The study noted 918 admissions, with a recorded overall death rate of 24%.
• Age was a significant factor affecting the outcome. The death rate was highest in foals (34%) and geriatric horses (40%), compared to mature horses (21%).
• The highest death rate was recorded in March (37%).
• Horses admitted for neurological (46%) or neonatal (41%) issues had the highest death rates, while those admitted for ophthalmological (5%) or trauma/skin (13%) problems had the lowest.
• No difference was found in death rates correlating to different admission days, times, or the duration of clinical signs prior to presentation.
• The study noted high death rates among horses with specific health issues such as abnormal peritoneal fluid (71%), coagulopathy (63%), acid-base abnormalities (52%), hypoproteinaemia (47%), dehydration (43%), hypoxia/hypercapnia (48%), leucopenia (44%), electrolyte abnormalities (39%), hyperlactataemia (39%) or azotaemia (35%).
• Death rates were high for horses administered specific treatments such as intranasal oxygen (57%), plasma (34%) or polymixin B (35%), while death rates were remarkably low for horses undergoing procedures like laceration repair/joint (0%) or synovial cavity lavage (4%).

Conclusions

• The research concluded that both the age of the horse and the severity of the illness played vital roles in the high death rates.
• Further understanding of disease processes and improving treatment strategies, particularly for neonatal and geriatric patients, as well as critically ill patients, is emphasized to reduce mortality rates.