Risk factors for enterolithiasis among horses in Texas

Objective-To identify risk factors for enterolithiasis in horses. Design-Matched case-control study. Animals-26 horses with enteroliths, 104 horses with other causes of colic t hat underwent surgery (52 horses, surgical control group) or were treated m edically (52 horses, nonsurgical control group). Procedure-Medical records were reviewed for horses with enteroliths and con trol horses. Information collected included signalment, anamnesis, and find ings on physical examination and clinicopathologic testing at admission. Ho rses with enteroliths and control horses were compared by means of conditio nal logistic regression to identify factors associated with enterolithiasis . Results-Horses that were fed alfalfa hay, spent I 50% of time outdoors, or were Arabian or miniature breeds had an increased risk of developing entero liths. Horses with enteroliths were more likely to have been hyperbilirubin emic and to have had clinical signs > 12 hours prior to admission. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Breed and diet appear to influence the r isk of enterolithiasis; other management factors also may influence develop ment of enteroliths. Duration of clinical signs may be longer and signs may be less severe among horses with enteroliths, compared with horses with ot her causes of colic.