Estimate of the national incidence of and operation-level risk factors for colic among horses in the United States, spring 1998 to spring 1999.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the national incidence of, operation-level risk factors for, and annual economic impact of colic among horses in the United States during 1998 and 1999.


METHODS
Epidemiologic survey.


METHODS
21,820 horses on 1,026 horse operations in 28 states.


METHODS
Horses were monitored for colic for 1 year, and results were recorded in a log that was collected quarterly. Operation-level data were collected via 4 on-site personal interviews. Associations between colic and independent variables adjusted for size of operation were determined.


RESULTS
Annual national incidence of colic in the US horse population was estimated to be 4.2 colic events/100 horses per year. Case fatality rate was 11%, and 1.4% of colic events resulted in surgery. Annual cost of colic in the United States was estimated to be $115,300,000.


CONCLUSIONS
The national impact of equine colic is substantial because of the high case fatality rate.
Traub-Dargatz
J L
JL
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Kopral
C A
CA
Seitzinger
A H
AH
Garber
L P
LP
Forde
K
K
White
N A
NA
D000818:Animals; D003085:Colic / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006736:Horses; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology