Risk factors for enterolithiasis among horses in Texas

To identify risk factors for enterolithiasis in horses.

Matched case-control study.

26 horses with enteroliths, 104 horses with other causes of colic that underwent surgery (52 horses, surgical control group) or were treated medically (52 horses, nonsurgical control group).

Medical records were reviewed for horses with enteroliths and control horses. Information collected included signalment, anamnesis, and findings on physical examination and clinicopathologic testing at admission. Horses with enteroliths and control horses were compared by means of conditional logistic regression to identify factors associated with enterolithiasis.

Horses that were fed alfalfa hay, spent < or = 50% of time outdoors, or were Arabian or miniature breeds had an increased risk of developing enteroliths. Horses with enteroliths were more likely to have been hyperbilirubinemic and to have had clinical signs > 12 hours prior to admission.

Breed and diet appear to influence the risk of enterolithiasis; other management factors also may influence development of enteroliths. Duration of clinical signs may be longer and signs may be less severe among horses with enteroliths, compared with horses with other causes of colic.