Draft horses have similar outcomes as nondraft horses presenting for colic at a referral institution in Atlantic Canada.

Abstract

Objective: For horses presenting for colic to a referral hospital in Atlantic Canada, we aimed to describe clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for draft breeds; identify associations between clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for draft compared to nondraft breeds; and identify the overall impact of draft breed on mortality.

Methods: A retrospective review of equine colic cases presenting to the Atlantic Veterinary College (2004 to 2023). Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between parameters and draft breed and mortality.

Results: A total of 721 horse colic events were included in the study; 68 (9.4%) were categorized as draft breeds. Among draft breeds, large intestine nonstrangulating obstruction was the most frequent diagnosis (30.9%), followed by GI-related medical (23.5%) and open (19.1%). Draft breeds did not significantly differ from nondraft breeds in the type of management received (medical or surgical). At admission, draft breeds were significantly more likely to have an increased heart rate and elevated abdominal protein, peripheral lactate, total protein, and fibrinogen concentrations. Fifty-nine percent of draft breed cases survived until discharge. In multivariable analysis, draft breeds did not significantly differ from nondraft breeds in survival.

Conclusions: Although draft breeds presenting with colic were more likely than nondraft breeds to present with variables associated with nonsurvival, draft breed status was not an overall predictor for nonsurvival at this referral institution.

Clinical relevance: This study describes the clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for draft breeds experiencing colic at a referral institution. Draft breed status was not a predictor for nonsurvival.