Evaluation of risk factors, management, and outcome associated with rectal tears in horses: 99 cases (1985-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for rectal tears in horses; assess the effect of initiating cause on tear location, size, and distance from anus; and determine short-term survival rate among horses with various grades of rectal tears.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
99 horses.


METHODS
Medical records for horses with a rectal tear were reviewed, and data including age; sex; breed; cause, location, and size of the tear and its distance from the anus; tear grade; treatment; and outcome (short-term survival [ie, survival to discharge from the hospital] vs non-survival) were recorded. Data for age, sex, and breed of horses with rectal tears were compared with data for all horses evaluated at the hospital during the same interval to determine risk factors for rectal tears.


RESULTS
Arabians, American Miniature Horses, mares, and horses > 9 years of age were more likely to develop a rectal tear than other breeds, males, or younger horses. Dystocia had a significant influence on rectal tear size. Location of a rectal tear and its distance from the anus were not associated with cause. Applied treatments for grade 1, 2, and 3 rectal tears were effective, unlike treatments for grade 4 rectal tears. Irrespective of treatment, the overall short-term survival rate among horses with grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 rectal tears was 100%, 100%, 38%, and 2%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate identification of risk factors could help practitioners and owners implement adequate measures to prevent the development of rectal tears in horses.
Claes
Anthony
A
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Ball
Barry A
BA
Brown
James A
JA
Kass
Philip H
PH
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D004420:Dystocia / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*