Evaluation of dietary and management risk factors for enterolithiasis among horses in California

D. M. Hassel, B. M. Aldridge, C. M. Drake, J. R. Snyder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Enteroliths are intestinal calculi that result in intestinal obstruction and colic in horses. Equine enterolithiasis occurs worldwide, but the disease is particularly prevalent in some geographic locations, including California. The objectives of this study were to evaluate dietary and environmental risk factors for the disease. This was accomplished through a case-control study by comparing horses with colic from enterolithiasis presenting to the University of California, Davis VMTH, to horses with colic of other causes. Data were collected on 61 horses with enterolithiasis and 75 controls via evaluation of patient records and questionnaires completed by owners at the time of admission. Following multiple logistic regression analysis, the following factors were found to be significantly associated with enterolithiasis: feeding ≥50% of the diet as alfalfa; feeding <50% of the diet as oat hay; feeding <50% of the diet as grass hay; and lack of daily access to pasture grazing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)476-480
Number of pages5
JournalResearch in Veterinary Science
Volume85
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Case-control study
  • Colic
  • Enterolith
  • Horse
  • Risk factors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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