Risk factors for reduced postoperative fecal output in horses: 37 cases (1997-1998).
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence and risk factors for development of ileus of the large intestine after surgery in horses, identified by reduced postoperative fecal output (RPFO).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
37 horses that developed RPFO after undergoing general anesthesia for reasons unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
Fecal output was obtained from medical records as number of defecations per 24-hour period after surgery; RPFO was defined as < or = 3 defecations per 24-hour period after surgery. The reference population included 48 horses that defecated > or = 4 times during the same period. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were evaluated for their association with development of RPFO by use of logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Ten (12%) horses, all of which had RPFO, developed signs of colic after surgery. Horses > or = 5 years old that underwent orthopedic procedures of > 60 minutes' duration and that did not receive phenylbutazone after surgery were at significant risk for developing RPFO.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that after surgery unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract in horses, there is an intermediate clinical phase characterized by reduced fecal output preceding overt signs of colic. Recognition of RPFO may reduce morbidity and mortality of such horses.
Little
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Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
Redding
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Blikslager
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D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors