Prospective case study of critical decision making for horses referred for treatment of colic

Abstract

BackgroundThere is limited evidence on factors affecting critical decision making for horses with colic. This study's aim was to describe the assessment and decision making involved in horses referred for management of colic.MethodsAn in‐depth case analysis was used to document case presentation, decision making and outcomes for horses referred for colic to two UK equine veterinary practices over a 12‐month period. The data recorded included previous history, presenting signs, response to treatment, case outcome and factors affecting decisions for further treatment or euthanasia.ResultsData were available for 60 cases: 55 were hospitalised for medical or surgical treatment and five horses were euthanased following initial assessment. The main factors affecting treatment decisions were severity of clinical signs (80%, 47/59), financial concerns (10%, 6/59) and ongoing health issues or previous history of colic (5%, 3/59). Factors associated with euthanasia decisions were postoperative complications (5/18), poor prognosis (4/18), deteriorating clinical signs (3/18) and financial concerns (3/18).LimitationThe limited study population may affect the extent to which the findings can be generalised.ConclusionThe severity of clinical signs was the key factor in treatment decision making. The main factors affecting euthanasia decisions were clinical deterioration, poor prognosis and financial constraints. These findings should be incorporated into clinical case recording to capture the multifactorial nature of decision making.

A Retrospective Study on the Status of Working Equids Admitted to an Equine Clinic in Cairo: Disease Prevalence and Associations between Physical Parameters and Outcome

“…Regardless, euthanasia must be carefully weighed and discussed with the owner. Often, the literature specifies that the final decision must be made by considering whether the animal’s life is worth living [ 51 ], looking at the pain the animal is suffering [ 52 ], and the type of pathology [ 53 ]. Our study tried to identify some basic parameters that far from being exhaustive could help to inform this decision, in conditions where often no more than a physical examination can be performed and with limited treatment and assistance availability.…”

Equine insurance premiums and policies in the UK—What has changed in the last 5 years?

“…Background: Approximately 1 in 5 cases of colic will be critical, requiring referral treatment for intensive medical therapy, or surgery, or euthanasia (Curtis et al 2015). The costs associated with this can be significant, and can be a major factor affecting horse owners' decisions (Burrell et al 2023). A previous study documented a decline in the number of horses undergoing colic surgery between 2004 and 2017 with rising costs thought to be an underlying cause (Blikslager and Mair 2021).…”

“…Mair 2 ; S.L. Freeman 1 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire; 2 Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Mereworth, Maidstone, UK Background: The cost of referral medical or surgical treatment for colic in the horse is significant and can be a barrier to owners pursing treatment vs euthanasia for their horse (Burrell et al 2023). A study in 2018 documented costs for referral colic treatment across a sample of UK hospitals, and assessed the costs and ease of access and readability of insurance policies across five companies (Barker and Freeman, 2018).…”