Trends in the management of horses referred for evaluation of colic: 2004–2017

The financial crisis of 2008 had effects on veterinary practice, with falling turnovers associated with reluctance of owners to spend money on veterinary care. There were anecdotal reports that fewer horses were undergoing colic surgery. The aims of this study were to document the numbers of horses with colic being referred to, and undergoing surgery and/or euthanasia, at two equine hospitals (a university based equine hospital in the United States [NC State] and a private equine hospital in the UK [Bell Equine]) over a 14-year period (2004–2017). There was a trend of declining total yearly equine accessions at NC State starting in 2009, followed by an increase starting in 2012. At Bell Equine, total accessions showed an increasing trend from 2004 to 2015, followed by a slight decline in 2016 and 2017. The proportion of equine accessions that were colics varied from around 15% to 20% at both hospitals and did not show any notable variations over the time period studied. Both practices showed a trend of decreasing colic admissions undergoing and recovering from surgery starting from 2007 to 2008. The numbers and percentages of colic admissions that were subjected to euthanasia increased from 2004/2005 to 2014/2015 in both hospitals; there was a greater increase in numbers being subjected to euthanasia at surgery at NC State, compared to a greater increase in numbers being subjected to euthanasia without surgery at Bell Equine. At both hospitals, there was a trend of increasing mean invoice totals over the study period. The results show that there has been a trend of decreasing numbers of horses undergoing surgical treatment for colic since 2004/2005. This is likely to be, at least partly, due to the financial crisis of 2008, although other factors, including the high costs of surgery and the ageing equine population may also be important.     

Caecal duplication in a 13‐year‐old Thoroughbred

A 13‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation of recurrent colic of 4 weeks duration. These colic episodes were mild and responsive to medical therapy. Episodes of colic became more frequent and more painful. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large intestine duplication with a cystic structure located at the caecocolic junction that was unable to be exteriorized and therefore not amenable to surgical correction. Thirty‐six hours following surgery, the horse became acutely painful, sweaty, and febrile suggesting gastrointestinal rupture. Post mortem examination showed a 0.6 × 1 m duplication and a 0.5 × 0.6 m cystic dilation that was probably associated with the caecum. There was a 10 × 30 cm area of rupture located within the duplication. Histological evaluation confirmed the presence of a true duplication.     

Surgical management of foreign body obstruction of the small and large colons in 29 equids (2004–2016)

The objectives of the study were to describe the clinical presentation, surgical findings, complications and outcome of a case series of small and large colon obstruction by foreign bodies (FBs) in horses. The study is a retrospective case series which included 29 equids (28 horses and one donkey). Medical records of cases diagnosed with FB obstruction of the large or small colon between the years 2004 and 2016 that underwent surgery were reviewed. Data regarding signalment, clinical signs, surgical findings and post-operative variables were recorded. Short- (survival to hospital discharge) and long- (1 year after surgery) term survival rates were obtained. Cases had a mean age of 4.2 years, with both females and Arabian horses being overrepresented. Abdominal distention was the most common observation on presentation and the FB could be palpated in 20% of the cases during rectal examination. The most common reason to go into surgery was severe pain with abdominal distention. Significantly more FBs were found in the small colon during surgery (P<0.0001) and most were removed by small colon enterotomy. Complications rate post-operatively was relatively high (41%) with fever and diarrhoea being most common. Twenty-three cases (79%) were released from the hospital and all cases that were available for long-term follow-up were alive and returned to previous activity. No correlation between the chosen method of surgical removal of the FB and survival or complications post-operatively was noted. These data reflect favourable prognosis for surgical removal of colonic FBs. Few techniques are available to improve the safety of removal and the preferred method depends on the FB location, appearance and mobility. As FB obstruction resembles ‘noncomplicated’ colonic impaction, it is essential to try and recognise FB cases since deterioration can be rapid and surgery is the only sufficient treatment.     

Surgical treatment of colic in the miniature horse: a retrospective study of 57 cases (1993-2006)

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: It has been suggested that the rate of post operative abdominal adhesions in miniature horses is higher than that for other breeds. However, few reports exist in the veterinary literature describing complications and long-term survival following surgical treatment of colic in these horses. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of surgical lesions in miniature horses with acute abdominal disease in terms of clinical signs, surgical management, post operative treatment and complications, as well as short- and long-term survival. METHODS: Medical records of 57 American Miniature Horses undergoing surgical treatment for acute abdominal pain at the Michigan State University Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital 1993-2006 were evaluated for clinical information. Owners and trainers were contacted to gain information regarding long-term survival. RESULTS: The most common surgical lesion was a faecalith (38/57 cases) located primarily within the descending colon and most frequently diagnosed in horses age <6 months (19/38 cases). Short-term survival to hospital discharge for horses recovered from anaesthesia was 98% (55/56) with the most common post operative complications being diarrhoea and inappetance. Intra-abdominal adhesions were identified in 2/8 horses requiring a second celiotomy. Long-term follow-up was available for 45 horses and 87% (39/45) were alive at least 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As previously reported, faecalith obstruction is a frequent surgical lesion in the miniature horse and is most common in miniature horses age <6 months. The incidence of adhesion formation may be lower than previously reported.     

Two horses with thoracic lymphoma diagnosed using thoracoscopic biopsy

This report describes the use of thoracoscopy in 2 horses to obtain an antemortem diagnosis of thoracic lymphoma. The first horse in this report presented for assessment of weight loss and fever of unknown origin. The second presented with a history of upper respiratory tract noise and coughing during exercise. Although a strong clinical suspicion of neoplasia existed, a definitive antemortem diagnosis of thoracic lymphoma was not made in either case until biopsy samples obtained during standing thoracoscopy were examined.     

A giant nonstrangulating mesenteric lipoma as a cause of recurrent colic in a horse

Colic is a major cause of veterinary attendance in general practice and although most colic episodes remain isolated, recurrence may occur and definitive diagnosis can be difficult to obtain. This report describes an unusual presentation of a lipoma in a middle‐aged horse presented for recurrent colic. A massive lipoma causing a nonstrangulating space occupying obstruction of the small intestine was found during an exploratory celiotomy and was considered to be the most likely cause of the recurrent episodes of abdominal discomfort.     

Outbreak of Lawsonia intracellularis on a Standardbred breeding farm in North Carolina

Lawsonia intracellularis is a cause of protein‐losing enteropathy in weanling foals commonly causing signs including diarrhoea, oedema and unthrifty appearance. It has previously been reported as sporadic cases throughout the USA, Canada and Europe. Only recently have outbreaks on a single farm location been reported. The cases reported here are an example of multiple foals on a single farm testing serologically positive for L. intracellularis. These foals ranged in severity from asymptomatic to severely hypoproteinaemic and septic; however, none of the foals ever displayed diarrhoea, which is the most common presenting sign of this disease process.