Colic in the British military working horse population: a retrospective analysis

Tannahill, V. J. , Cardwell, J. M. and Witte, T. H. (2019) Colic in the British military working horse population: a retrospective analysis. Veterinary Record, 184(1), 24. (doi: 10.1136/vr.104956) (PMID:30455192)

Abstract

Colic is a common and potentially life-threatening condition of horses. Multiple risk factors have been previously identified and it is known that a careful management routine can help reduce colic rates. The British military working horse population represents a unique cohort of horses that are intensively managed with a strict regimen. This retrospective study examined the incidence and mortality rate of colic within this population, as well as the signalment of affected horses, and compared these with the general population. Data for 717 horses over a five-year period (2008–2012) were analysed. Of these, 163 horses (22.7 per cent) experienced 267 colic episodes and 13 horses (1.8 per cent) died because of colic. Recurrent colic was experienced by 35 per cent (57/163) of horses. The incidence of colic was 11.1 episodes per 100 horse-years and of colic-related death was 0.5 deaths per 100 horse-years. Horses purchased from mainland Europe were more likely to suffer from colic (OR 4.6; P<0.001) and from recurrent colic (OR 6.0; P=0.005) than horses purchased from Ireland. Only 3 per cent (8/267) of colic episodes were treated surgically. It was concluded that the incidences of colic and colic-related deaths within the British military working horse population are similar to those of the general horse population.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Histopathological analysis was kindly funded by the Langford Veterinary Services Clinical Research Fund.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tannahill, Miss Victoria
• Authors: Tannahill, V. J., Cardwell, J. M., and Witte, T. H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Record
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 0042-4900
• ISSN (Online): 2042-7670
• Published Online: 19 November 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 EV J Ltd
• First Published: First published in Veterinary Record 19 November 2018 (online)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher