Evaluation of enterolithiasis in equids: 900 cases (1973-1996)

Objective-To identify breed, age, sex, physical findings, history, and outc ome of treatment in horses and other equids with enterolithiasis. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-900 equids with enterolithiasis. Procedure-Medical records from equids with enterolithiasis admitted between 1973 and 1996 were reviewed. Data on signalment, history, physical examina tion and clinicopathologic findings, surgical findings, and outcome were co mpiled from records and from telephone interviews with owners. Sex and bree d predilections were determined by comparison of the study population with the general hospital population of equids during the same time period. Results-Equids with enterolithiasis represented 15.1% of patients admitted for treatment of colic, and 27.5% of patients undergoing celiotomy for trea tment of colic. Arabian and Arabian crosses, Morgans, American Saddlebreds, and donkeys were significantly overrepresented, and Thoroughbreds, Standar dbreds, warmbloods, and stallions were significantly underrepresented in th e study population, compared with the hospital population. The mean age of equids with enterolithiasis was 11.4 years. The most common historic findin gs were signs of intermittent colic (33.3%) and passage of enteroliths in t he feces (13.5%). Physical examination findings were similar to those found in equids with other forms of nonstrangulating large colon obstructive dis ease. Fifteen percent (131) developed gastrointestinal tract rupture caused by an enterolith that necessitated euthanasia. Short-term and 1-year survi val rates for equids undergoing celiotomy for treatment of enterolithiasis and recovering from anesthesia were excellent (96.2 and 92.5%, respectively ), and postoperative complications were uncommon. Recurrence of enterolithi asis was identified in 7.7% of the study population. Clinical Implications-Results indicated that short-term and 1-year survival rates for equids undergoing surgery for enterolithiasis are excellent. Ide ntification of signalment, history, and management factors may help identif y equids with a high risk for development of enterolithiasis.