Clinical presentation and outcome of gastric impactions with or without concurrent intestinal lesions in horses

Talbot, SE; Tallon, R; Dunkel, B

Abstract

BackgroundGastric impactions (GI) have been identified as primary lesions (lone GI; LGI) or associated with other intestinal lesions (concurrent GI; CGI). Anecdotally, CGI resolve more rapidly with a better prognosis than LGI. ObjectivesTo determine clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings, and short- and long-term survival in horses with GI. We hypothesized that LGI carries a worse prognosis than CGI. Animals.Seventy-one horses from 2 referral hospitals (2007-2022). MethodsRetrospective cohort study. Gastric impactions were defined as feed extending to the margo plicatus after & GE;24 hours of fasting. Clinical, diagnostic and outcome findings were compared between LGI and CGI. Long-term survival was determined by a questionnaire. ResultsTwenty-seven horses had LGI, 44 had CGI. Large intestinal lesions (32/44) were more common than small intestinal lesions (12/44). Concurrent gastric impactions resolved more slowly than LGI (LGI median 2 days, range 0-8; CGI median 4 days, range 1-10; P = .003). Short- (LGI 63%, 17/27; CGI 59%, 26/44; P = .75) and long-term survival (LGI 3.5 & PLUSMN; 1.9 years; CGI 2.3 & PLUSMN; 2.3 years; P = .42) were not significantly different. However, Lone gastric impactions were more likely to experience gastric rupture (LGI 29.6%, 8/27; CGI 11.4%, 5/44; P = .05). Lone gastric impactions were 8.7 times more likely to require dietary changes (LGI 72.7%, 8/11; CGI 25%, 4/16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-49.22; P = .01). Gastric impactions recurred in 21.7% (LGI, 6/20; CGI, 4/26; P = .23) of affected horses. Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceLone gastric impactions and CGI present similarly with a comparable prognosis, but LGI are more likely to rupture. Long-term dietary changes are often necessary for horses with LGI.

Citation

Talbot, S., Tallon, R., & Dunkel, B. (2023). Clinical presentation and outcome of gastric impactions with or without concurrent intestinal lesions in horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16735

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 7, 2023
• Publication Date: Jul 4, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 1, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 1, 2023
• Print ISSN: 0891-6640
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16735
• Keywords: colic; dietary management; equine; gastric rupture; recurrence; stomach; GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT; DILATATION; PHYSIOLOGY; DIAGNOSIS; VOLVULUS; BEHAVIOR; FEATURES; DISEASE; COLON; DIET