Epidemiology of equine colic

Question 1

What is colic?

Answer 1

A clinical signs of abdominal pain
Usually related to the GIT

Question 2

What is false colic?

Answer 2

Non-GI causes of colic

Question 3

Why is knowledge of the epidemiology of colic important?

Answer 3

Can assist the practitioner and colic surgeon
Diagnosis
Prevention of recurrence

Question 4

How are colic risk factors broadly classified?

Answer 4

Horse level risk factors
Management level risk factors

Question 5

List the horse level risk factors of colic

Answer 5

• No clear age, breed (height) or sex predilection for colic overall
• Specific types of colic do have specific age or sex risk factors
• Crib-biting / windsucking behaviour identified as a risk factor
• Weaving (walking in place)

Question 6

List the management level risk factors of colic

Answer 6

• Specific types of lesions may be more common in certain geographical locations e.g. Sand colic
• Seasonal patterns: overall colic risk increased in winter
• Feed types and feeding practices
• Stabling and access to pasture
• Dental care
• Parasites and anthelmintic administration
• Transport
• Exercise

Question 7

The level of risk of equine grass sickness is increased at what time of year?

Answer 7

Late spring/early summer

Question 8

How do feeding types and feeding practices act as a risk factors for colic?

Answer 8

• Increased concentrate in feed -> Medical colic
• Change in batch / type of feed within 2 weeks
• Specific types of feed associated with some types of colic

Question 9

How can management of dental care act as a risk factor for colic?

Answer 9

• Teeth checked less frequently
• Horses with a known dental problem at risk of recurrent colic
• Donkeys with dental disease at increased risk of LC impactions

Question 10

Which parasite is associated with spasmodic colic, ileal impaction and caecal intussusception?

Answer 10

Anoplocephala perfoliata

Question 11

Can recurrence of colic be prevented? What are the 4 risk factors for recurrence?

Answer 11

37% of horses had a recurrence of colic within 12 months
Risk factors for recurrence:
- Known dental problem
- Crib biting /windsucking
- Weaving
- Time at pasture

Question 12

Describe the features of a pedunculated lipoma strangulation colic and explain which horses are most at risk

Answer 12

Older horses and ponies (>8 y.o)
Ponies»horses
Geldings>mares
Small intestine
Occasionally small colon & other sites

Question 13

Describe the risk factors of a large colon volvulus colic and explain which horses are most at risk

Answer 13

Mares – post foaling
Larger horses
Increased stabling
Dental disease
Feed - especially changes

Question 14

Describe the risk factors of a large colon impaction colic and explain which horses are most at risk

Answer 14

Change in management – stabling
Autumn/winter
Box rest (e.g. hospitalised)
Straw bedding

Question 15

Describe the risk factors of epiploic foramen entrapment

Answer 15

Seasonal - Dec, Jan, Feb
Increased stabling
Other factors: feed, turnout etc.
Crib biting/wind sucking behaviour

Question 16

Can a prognosis for colic be given based on presentation and clinical data?

Answer 16

• Need for “evidence based medicine”: pain, cardiovascular signs and absence of gut sounds - predictors of critical case or not
• Guidelines for decision making/surgery - Improved advice
• Bench marking for hospitals
• International colic surgery audit

Question 17

List some risk factors for mortality in surgery to treat colic

Answer 17

Resection length
PCV
Duration of surgery
-> as these factors increase the risk of mortality increases
Post-op complications: ileus, surgical site infection, jugular thrombosis

Question 18

What is the other name of equine grass sickness

Answer 18

Equine dysautonomia

Question 19

Describe the pathogenesis of equine grass sickness

Answer 19

• Polyneuropathy affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems of horses
• Clinical signs related to neuronal degeneration in the autonomic and enteric nervous systems
• Varying degrees of severity: extent of neuronal degeneration

Question 20

How is equine grass sickness diagnosed?

Answer 20

Clinical signs
Histology
- Ileal biopsy - surgery
- Post-mortem examination

Question 21

List the acute and subacute clinical signs of equine grass sickness

Answer 21

Colic
Reflux
Tachycardia
SI distension
Sweating
Salivation
Difficulty swallowing
Ptosis - upper eyelid drooping

Question 22

List the chronic clinical signs of equine grass sickness

Answer 22

Weight loss
Dysphagia
Tachycardia
Patchy sweating
Muscle fasciculation
Rhinitis sicca
‘elephant on a barrel’ stance / ‘greyhound’ like

Question 23

Describe the epidemiology of equine grass sickness

Answer 23

• Previous outbreaks on premises increases risk
• Young horses 2-7 (3-5yrs)
• At pasture
• Seasonal: Spring – especially April/May
• Regional: more common in North, Scotland (east coast)

Question 24

List the management risk factors for equine grass sickness

Answer 24

• Access to grass: longer time at pasture
• Recent change in pasture (e.g. changed fields previous 2-4 weeks)
• Pasture disturbance (e.g. mechanical removal of droppings)
• Element levels in soil
• Avoid turning out young horses to a pasture that has previously had GS in Spring time

Question 25

Describe the aetiological theory for equine grass sickness

Answer 25

Toxico-infection with C. botulinum type C