Treatment approaches to horses with acute diarrhea admitted to referral institutions: A multicenter retrospective study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe and compare therapeutic approaches for horses with acute diarrhea in different geographic regions worldwide. METHODS: Clinical information was retrospectively collected from diarrheic horses presented to participating institutions between 2016 and 2020, including fluid therapy on admission, antimicrobial drugs, probiotics, anti-endotoxic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, gastroprotectants, digital cryotherapy, and toxin-binding agents. Seasonal and geographic differences were investigated. RESULTS: 1438 horses from 26 participating hospitals from 5 continents were included. On admission, 65% (926/1419) of horses were administered a fluid bolus. Antimicrobial drugs were administered to 55% (792/1419) within the first 24 hours of admission, with penicillin and gentamicin being the most used combination (25%, 198/792). Horses with leukopenia (OR: 2.264, 95%CI: 1.754 to 2.921; P<0.001) or meeting systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (OR: 2.542, 95%CI: 1.919 to 3.368; P<0.001) had higher odds of being administered antimicrobial drugs. Other treatments administered included probiotics (15%, 215/1438), polymyxin B (13%; 187/1438), pentoxifylline (8%; 118/1438), gastroprotectants (44%; 626/1419), digital cryotherapy (34%; 489/1435), plasma transfusion (13%; 182/1410) and toxin-binding agents (36%; 515/1438). LIMITATIONS: Due to the retrospective nature of the study, the rationale for treatment decisions was unavailable, and associations with survival could not be evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Treatments varied between hospitals from different geographic regions. Prospective clinical trials are required to evaluate the effects of various treatments on survival.
Source: PLoS ONE
Authors: Diego E. Gomez, Jamie J. Kopper, David P. Byrne, David L. Renaud, Angelika Schoster, Bettina Dunkel, Luis G. Arroyo, Anna Mykkanen, William F. Gilsenan, Tina H. Pihl, Gabriela Lopez-Navarro, Brett S. Tennent-Brown, Laura D. Hostnik, Mariano Mora-Pereira, Fernando Marques, Jenifer R. Gold, Sally L. DeNotta, Isabelle Desjardins, Allison J. Stewart, Taisuke Kuroda, Emily Schaefer, Olimpo J. Oliver-Espinosa, Gustavo Ferlini Agne, Benjamin Uberti, Pablo Veiras, Katie M. Delph Miller, Rodolfo Gialleti, Emily John, Ramiro E. Toribio
Institutions: Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Iowa State University, Murdoch University, University of Zurich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Royal Veterinary College, University of Helsinki, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, The University of Melbourne, The Ohio State University, Auburn University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Washington State University, University of Florida, VetAgro Sup, The University of Queensland, Japan Racing Association, Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, The University of Adelaide, Austral University of Chile, Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Qatar Foundation, Kansas State University, University of Perugia, University of Prince Edward Island
Language: English
Subfield: Equine
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,290
OpenAlex ID: W4404565639