Preliminary results on the association with feeding and recovery length in equine colic patients after laparotomy

Abstract

Colic is a serious disease for horses and the nutritional management of postoperative colic patients is an extremely important field. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the different factors, especially related to nutritional management, that may be associated with recovery length during hospitalization after a surgical intervention for colic, using a multivariate model. Data were collected from the records of horses presented to two hospitals and undergoing surgery for colic. The length (days) of recovery was the outcome of interest and was taken into account as a reference parameter (short, medium, long). The parameters collected (patient details, preoperative clinical and laboratory examinations, postoperative parameters and post‐surgery nutritional parameters) were subjected to multivariate analysis (MCA and PCoA). A ranking class dataset was used to calculate Kendall's tau correlation of the length of recovery with respect to other parameters. Descriptive statistic to identify differences in the recovery length among groups (Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's Multiple Comparison Test) was also performed. p value was set at < 0.05. Groups were not different in preoperative clinical parameters (BCS, PCV, total protein), postoperative parameters (time to 1st defecation, time to the end of IV fluid therapy and time to first water drinking, anaesthesia) and patient details (age). The comparison among groups revealed differences on the post‐surgical nutritional parameters. Horses with short recovery consumed higher % of DM as forages in the 24 hr compared with the horses that have a long recovery and reach the minimum DM intake in a shorter period. Both Kendall and MCA analysis confirmed that the time to first feeding had a positive association with the length of recovery. Only 37 horses undergoing colic surgery were included in the study. From a clinical standpoint, this study has shown which nutritional parameters are associated with short recovery.

Equine nutrition in the post‐operative colic: Survey of Diplomates of the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons, and European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons

“…The positive effects of EN in recovery and survival for the post‐operative colic have for the majority been extrapolated from the human literature 3‐7 and discussed within the referenced textbooks 8,15 . In a small single‐centre study of 37 horses, Valle et al (2019) identified an association with feeding and recovery time in equine colic cases after laparotomy 19 . Those that were consuming forage within 12 hours post‐operatively had a shorter recovery time 19 .…”

“…8 , 15 In a small single‐centre study of 37 horses, Valle et al (2019) identified an association with feeding and recovery time in equine colic cases after laparotomy. 19 Those that were consuming forage within 12 hours post‐operatively had a shorter recovery time. 19 Although the authors recognise the fact that horses that recover swiftly after surgery are likely to be offered EN faster than those that recover more slowly, they also suggest that EN can positively affect intestinal motility and enterocyte function to provide a beneficial effect.…”

“…human literature [3][4][5][6][7] and discussed within the referenced textbooks [8,15]. In a small single centre study of 37 horses, Valle et al (2019) identified an association with feeding and recovery time in equine colic patients after laparotomy [19]. Those that were consuming forage within 12 hours post-operatively had a shorter recovery time [19].…”

Comparison of liberal and goal‐directed fluid therapy after small intestinal surgery for strangulating lesions in horses

“…Nevertheless food intake should be encouraged in the postoperative period to stimulate gut motility and, in selected cases, to prevent hypertriglyceridemia, eliminate the need for parenteral nutrition, 24,25 and to promote water intake. In fact, Freeman et al 2 observed that unfed horses drink significantly less than fed horses.…”

“…8,21 Excluding the two horses for which a possible explanation of POR has been provided above, the incidence of true POI in our study was 10%, in accordance with the findings reported by Freeman et al 22 All horses that developed POR in our study had some degree of gastric impaction, revealed by direct palpation at surgery, as reported by others concurrently to other forms of colic. 23 Thus, in addition to the anastomotic technique and intestinal oedema, gastric contents could move from the stomach and Nevertheless food intake should be encouraged in the postoperative period to stimulate gut motility and, in selected cases, to prevent hypertriglyceridemia, eliminate the need for parenteral nutrition, 24,25 and to promote water intake. In fact, Freeman et al 2 observed that unfed horses drink significantly less than fed horses.…”