Study on Major Causes of Equine Colic at the Donkey Sanctuary and SPANA Clinic in Bishoftu Town

Abstract

A case series study was conducted between December 2009 and April 2010 at the donkey sanctuary and SPANA clinics in Bishoftu town to determine the major causes of equine colic. During the study period a total of 121 (9.1%) episodes of colic were recorded in a population of 1336 equine (800 horses, 500 donkeys and 36 mules). From the total cases 93 (11.6%) and 28 (5.6%) were horses and donkeys, respectively. No mule was observed with colic problem. The proportion of colic cases in horses was significantly (p= 0.0003) higher than that of donkeys. The major risk factors found associated with colic were feed change, parasite infestation and poor deworming history, enteroliths, heavy work, age and dental abnormalities (P<0.05) in the cases. Physical and clinical examination of the colic cases showed elevated respiratory and pulse rates, congested mucous membrane, increased mean of PVC-value, decreased appetite, abdominal distension, poor body condition, intermittent and continuous abdominal pain and dullness. Donkey were more commonly affected with impaction colic (78.6%) and less commonly with flatulent colic (21.4%). The most important colic identified in horses was spasmodic colic (66.7%) followed by impaction colic (25.8%) and undefined colic (7.6%). In conclusion, improving feeding management, implementing parasite control strategies and raising the awareness of the owners of equids are needed in order to prevent the impact of the diseases on equine production.

Therapeutic trial on clinical cases of impactive and spasmodic colic in donkeys in Gondar, northwest Ethiopia

“…The observed values of mean PCV and TLC were elevated in colicky donkeys as compared to control donkeys. The elevation in PCV value in the present finding is in agreement with report of Worku et al (12) and Tadesse et al (4); this due to dehydration and increasing concentration of circulating blood cells to compensate the fluid loss in donkeys with impactive colic (4). The elevation of TLC in the current finding is in line with the findings of Baher et al (14), and might be due to stress in colicky donkeys, which results in liberation of corticosteroid to increased levels in the blood that prevent migration of white blood cells (majorly neutrophils) out of the blood vessels to the tissues (16).…”

“…In the current study, the mean physiological parameter values of heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate and capillary refill time were elevated in donkeys with spasmodic and impactive colic as compared to the control donkeys even with working donkeys of Ethiopia as previously reported by Lemma and Moges (11). This finding is in line with the previous study in Ethiopia (12,4) and abroad (13). These physiological parameters elevations might be due to pain, violent struggle and over distension of abdomen, which had a direct effect on the cardiopulmonary system.…”

“…In Ethiopia, the prevalence of colic in donkey is not known, but one study was conducted in and around Bishoftu town reported a prevalence of 9.1%. Among the colic types, impactive colic was high in donkeys, which accounts for 78.6% in Bishoftu town (4).…”

“…Research has demonstrated that the causes are complex and there are conflicting views about the impact of individual risk factors. Some risk factors were well documented, like change in feed, poor deworming practice, heavy work and Strongylus infestations (3,4). Distension, enteritis, simple and complete obstruction are major causes of colic in equine, but lesion involving gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the most important cause of colic (5).…”

“…Diagnosis of impactive and spasmodic colic is based on history, physical and laboratory examination. Impactive colic was diagnosed by its clinical sings like over distention of abdomen, rolling, lying down, dullness, anorexia, decreased intestinal motility and distended colon, caecum and pelvic flexure with dry feces, while spasmodic colic is diagnosed by fecal examination and physical observation of clinical signs like frequent rolling, an audible gut sound heard from the distance and increase intestinal motility (4).…”