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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2022; 64(1); 11; doi: 10.1186/s13028-022-00631-4

Short-term survival rates of 1397 horses referred for colic from 2010 to 2018.

Abstract: Up-to-date and hospital-specific knowledge of prognoses for horses with various forms of colic is essential for helping to guide owners' decisions on costly treatments, and for assessing the continuous development of standards of care in the hospital. This study aimed to determine the short-term survival rates of horses admitted with colic to the University Hospital for Large Animals (UHLA), University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2010 to 2018, and to compare these to a previous local study as well as recent, comparable international studies. Short-term survival rates were calculated for horses grouped by treatment (surgical, medical) and diseases. Results were compared to the selected studies using Chi-square tests. Results: A total of 1752 horses were admitted with colic during the period, of which 355 were excluded for reasons such as economic restrictions or immediate euthanasia. Short-term survival of the remaining 1397 cases was significantly higher (83.0% (95% CI 81.1-85.0%)) than a previous local study (76%) and a recent Dutch study (80%). Medical treatment was carried out in 77.1% of cases, and surgery in 22.9% of the cases. Short-term survival for medically (89.7%) and surgically (60.6%) treated horses was significantly higher in the present study compared to the previous study (87% and 42%, respectively), but was similar to that found in the Dutch study. Significantly fewer horses were euthanised during surgery than in the previous study (17.2 vs. 40%), and significantly more horses recovered from surgery (79.1 vs. 56%). Short-term survival rate of surgically treated horses (60.6%) did not differ from other European studies (55-62%). Conclusions: Short-term survival rates have increased since the previous study at UHLA, mainly due to a decrease in intraoperative euthanasia. Survival rates in this study are similar to those found in recent comparable colic studies.
© 2022. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2022-05-07 PubMed ID: 35526044PubMed Central: PMC9077955DOI: 10.1186/s13028-022-00631-4Google 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 studied the short-term survival rates of horses with colic treated at the University Hospital for Large Animals (UHLA), University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2010 to 2018. The results showed an increase in survival rates compared to previous studies, due to a decrease in euthanasia during surgery.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The research aimed to update current knowledge on the prognosis for horses with varying forms of colic, crucial both for informing owners’ decisions about expensive treatments, and for assessing the progress of care standards in hospital settings.
  • Statistics for short-term survival were collated for horses separated into groups based on their treatment (surgical or medical) and diseases.
  • The gathered results were compared against chosen studies using Chi-square tests.

Dataset Overview

  • 1752 horses admitted with colic during the period constituted the initial dataset. However, 355 were excluded for causes like monetary constraints or immediate euthanasia, leaving 1397 horses in the study.
  • Of these, 77.1% underwent medical treatment, with the remaining 22.9% receiving surgical treatment.

Results and Comparison

  • Short-term survival, in this case, was significantly higher (83.0%, confidence interval 81.1-85.0%) compared to a prior local study (76%) and a recent study in the Netherlands (80%).
  • The survival rates for both medically (89.7%) and surgically (60.6%) treated horses were significantly better in this study compared to the previous study, but comparable to the Dutch study.
  • The study found a significant decline in the number of horses euthanised during surgery (down to 17.2% from 40% in the previous study).
  • Moreover, notably more horses recovered from surgery (79.1% compared to the previous 56%).
  • However, the survival rate of surgically treated horses (60.6%) is in line with other European studies (55-62%).

Conclusions

  • Overall, the short-term survival rates of horses suffering from colic have risen since the previous analysis at UHLA. The key factor for this improvement appears to be a decrease in euthanasia conducted during the surgical procedures.
  • The study’s survival rates reflect those found in other recent comparable studies on colic, demonstrating a progression in veterinary care for this condition.

Cite This Article

APA
Dybkjær E, Steffensen KF, Honoré ML, Dinesen MA, Christophersen MT, Pihl TH. (2022). Short-term survival rates of 1397 horses referred for colic from 2010 to 2018. Acta Vet Scand, 64(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-022-00631-4

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 1
Pages: 11
PII: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Dybkjær, Emma
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
Steffensen, Kirstine Fleng
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
Honoré, Marie Louise
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
Dinesen, Mathias Ankjær
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
Christophersen, Mogens Teken
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.
Pihl, Tina Holberg
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark. thpi@sund.ku.dk.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Colic / surgery
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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