Equine nutrition in the post-operative colic: of Diplomates of the College of Medicine and and Colleges of Medicine and Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Evidence is lacking concerning re‐introduction of feed and water following colic surgery. OBJECTIVES: To describe current approaches of European and American specialists to re‐introduction of feed and water in adult horses following surgical treatment of common intestinal lesions, assuming an uncomplicated recovery. STUDY DESIGN: Cross‐sectional survey. METHODS: Electronic invitations, with a link to the online survey, were sent to 1,430 large animal specialists, including Diplomates of the ECVS, ACVS, ECEIM and ACVIM colleges. RESULTS: The response rate was 12.6% including partial respondent data. Responses for each multiple‐choice question were between 123 and 178. Results are expressed as the percentage of the total number of responses and as a range where specific lesions are grouped together. Respondents reported that horses with large intestinal displacements were offered free choice water (63%‐65%) within 3 hours (55%‐63%), whereas horses with a small intestinal strangulating lesion were offered < 2 L water (64%‐74%) 12‐24 hours (28%‐34%) post‐operatively. Horses with a large colon displacement were offered feed within 3 hours of surgery (16%) with the majority offered feed 6‐12 hours (35%‐36%) post‐operatively. Horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions and small colon lesions were offered feed 24‐48 hours (34%‐42%) after surgery. Following small intestinal, small colon or caecal lesions, horses were re‐introduced feed in handfuls (79%‐93%) and initially with grass (41%‐54%). Horses with large colon displacements were mostly fed handfuls (49%‐50%) of forage initially, but a number of respondents would offer larger quantities such as a small bucket (35%‐37%) and predominantly of hay (50%‐51%). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Low response rate. This study did not take into account common post‐operative complications that may alter the clinical approach. CONCLUSIONS: This post‐operative colic nutrition survey is the first to describe current clinical practice. Further research is required to investigate nutritional strategies in post‐operative colic cases

Risk factors for colic in horses hospitalized for ocular disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of colic and risk factors for colic in equids hospitalized for ocular disease. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. Animals-337 equids (317 horses, 19 ponies, and 1 donkey) hospitalized for ocular disease. PROCEDURES: Medical records of equids hospitalized for > 24 hours for treatment of ocular disease between January 1997 and December 2008 were reviewed. Information from only the first hospitalization was used for equids that were hospitalized for ocular disease on more than 1 occasion. Information gathered included the signalment, the type of ocular lesion and the treatment administered, and any colic signs recorded during hospitalization as well as the severity, presumptive diagnosis, and treatment of the colic. Statistical analysis was used to identify any risk factors for colic in equids hospitalized for ocular disease. RESULTS: 72 of 337 (21.4%) equids hospitalized for ocular disease had signs of colic during hospitalization. Most equids (59.7% [43/72]) had mild signs of colic, and most (87.5% [63/72]) were treated medically. Ten of 72 (13.9%) equids with colic had a cecal impaction. Risk factors for colic in equids hospitalized for ocular disease were age (0 to 1 year and ≥ 21 years) and an increased duration of hospitalization (≥ 8 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There was a high incidence of colic in equids hospitalized with ocular disease in this study. Findings from this study may help identify equids at risk for development of colic and thereby help direct implementation of prophylactic measures