Document Detail


Causes of gastrointestinal colic at an equine referral hospital in South Africa (1998-2007).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20169755     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The most common causes of gastrointestinal colic at an equine referral hospital in South Africa were determined following retrieval of the medical records of horses admitted during a 10-year study period. The study included 935 horses of which 28% were admitted after hours. Most horses were Thoroughbreds (54%), male (57%), with a mean age of 8.2 years and originated from the Gauteng Province (81%). Heart rate (98%), mucous membrane colour (95%) and auscultation of the abdomen (91%) were the clinical data commonly obtained at admission. Packed cell volume, total serum protein and white cell count were recorded in 78%, 75% and 44% of horses respectively. Transrectal palpation (93%), nasogastric intubation (84%), intravenous catheterisation (74%) and abdominocentesis (53%) were the most frequently performed procedures. Medical intervention was performed in 558 horses (60%). The common causes of medical colic were impactions (39%), tympany (7%) and displacement of the large colon (6%). An exploratory laparotomy was performed in 331 horses (36%). The common causes of surgical colic were displacement (29%), impaction (22%) and small intestinal strangulating lesions (18%). Death occurred in 3% of horses, while euthanasia before medical intervention was performed in 4%. Overall, medical intervention was successful in 93% of horses and 67% in horses managed surgically. In conclusion, 55% of all the equine admissions responded to medical intervention and the recovery rate for horses receiving both medical and surgical intervention was comparable to that reported in other studies.
Authors:
A Voigt; M N Saulez; C M Donnellan; B Gummow
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the South African Veterinary Association     Volume:  80     ISSN:  1019-9128     ISO Abbreviation:  J S Afr Vet Assoc     Publication Date:  2009 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-02-22     Completed Date:  2010-03-04     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7503122     Medline TA:  J S Afr Vet Assoc     Country:  South Africa    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  192-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Section of Equine Medicine, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
After-Hours Care
Animals
Colic / diagnosis,  etiology,  veterinary*
Colon / pathology
Emergency Medical Services
Female
Gastrointestinal Diseases / complications,  diagnosis,  veterinary*
Horse Diseases / diagnosis,  etiology*
Horses
Hospitals, Animal* / statistics & numerical data
Intestinal Obstruction / complications,  diagnosis,  veterinary*
Male
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
South Africa
Torsion Abnormality / veterinary

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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