Indicators of ‘critical’ outcomes in 941 horses seen ‘out-of-hours’ for colic

Bowden, Adelle; England, Gary C W; Brennan, Marnie Louise; Mair, Tim S; Furness, Wendy A; Freeman, Sarah L; Burford, John H

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to describe the presentation and outcomes of horses with signs of colic (abdominal pain) seen ‘out-of-hours’ in equine practice.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of horses seen ‘out-of-hours’ with colic by two equine veterinary practices between 2011-2013. Case outcomes were categorised as ‘critical’ or ‘not critical’. A critical outcome was defined as requiring medical or surgical hospital treatment, or resulting in euthanasia or death. A non-critical outcome was defined as resolving with simple medical treatment. A hierarchical generalised linear model was used to identify ‘red flag’ parameters (aspects of signalment, history and presenting clinical signs) associated with critical outcomes.

Results: Data were retrieved from 941 cases that presented with colic; 23.9% (n=225/941) were critical. Variables significantly associated with the likelihood of a critical outcome in the final multivariable mode were: increased heart rate (p [less than] 0.001), age of the horse (p=0.013) and abnormal mucous membrane colour (p [less than] 0.001). Overall 18% of cases (n=168/941) were euthanased.

Conclusions: This study highlights the mortality associated with colic. The ‘red flag’ parameters identified should be considered an essential component of the primary assessment of horses with colic.

Citation

Bowden, A., England, G. C. W., Brennan, M. L., Mair, T. S., Furness, W. A., Freeman, S. L., & Burford, J. H. (2020). Indicators of ‘critical’ outcomes in 941 horses seen ‘out-of-hours’ for colic. Veterinary Record, 187(12), 492-492. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105881

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 28, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 27, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Jun 25, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 27, 2020
• Journal: Veterinary Record
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-7670
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 187
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 492-492
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105881
• Keywords: horse, equine, equids, out-of-hours, after hours, colic, abdominal pain, critical , outcomes
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4710048
• Publisher URL: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1136/vr.105881
• Additional Information: This article has been accepted for publication in Veterinary Record, 2020 following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.105881; ; © British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use.