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Adipose tissue is an important source of inflammatory cytokines (adipokines) and adiposity has been identified as having a significant effect on human morbidity and mortality. Obesity is also an emerging welfare problem in the UK horse population, but the role that it plays in secondary diseases is unclear.To examine the expression of inflammation-related adipokine genes in retroperitoneal adipose tissue of horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery and to explore associations with adiposity and post operative survival.Retroperitoneal adipose tissue samples were obtained from 76 horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Real-time PCR was used to measure gene expression for leptin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inhibitory factor, serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and interleukin-1. Multivariate patterns of adipokine expression were explored with principal component analysis (PCA), whilst univariable associations with post operative survival were tested in a Cox proportional hazards model.Leptin gene expression was higher in overweight and obese horses than in lean animals. Expression of mRNA encoding adiponectin mRNA in visceral adipose tissue was positively associated with increased post operative mortality (hazard ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.05-1.65). However, PCA did not demonstrate multivariable patterns of adipokine gene expression from visceral adipose tissue associated with body mass index or with survival.In horses presented with acute intestinal disease, increased adiponectin gene expression from retroperitoneal adipose tissue is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Obesity assessed by BMI had no association with increased post operative mortality in horses with primary gastrointestinal disease.Further study is warranted on the expression and effects of adipokines, particularly adiponectin, and correlation with postoperative outcome.

The frequency of recurrent colic in the UK equine general practice population is previously unreported. Elucidating risk factors for recurrent colic could provide a basis for clinical decision making and interventions.To determine the incidence rate of and risk factors for recurrent colic.Horse management, prophylactic health care and innate behaviour contribute to the risk of recurrent colic.A cohort of 127 horses was enrolled at the point of a veterinary-diagnosed medical colic episode. Participating owners completed a baseline and 3 follow-up telephone questionnaires over one year. Clinical details of each colic episode were collected with data on management, behaviour and preventive healthcare. Incidence was calculated using time at risk data; non-time varying covariates were assessed for association with recurrent colic using multivariable logistic regression.The recurrence rate was 50 colic events/100 horse years at risk (HYAR). Including only veterinary attended recurrent colic episodes the incidence was 35 colic events per 100 HYAR. A multivariable logistic regression model was built to explore non-time varying risk factors for recurrence collected from baseline data. The model showed that horses that have a known dental problem (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.3, 23.1) or crib-bite/windsuck (OR 12.1, 95% CI 1.4, 108.1) were at increased risk of recurrence during the year following a colic event.The incidence of recurrence in horses following a medical episode of colic is high in this population and represents a welfare concern. The incidence rate can be used to compare intervention efficacy in similar populations. Identified risk factors could provide the basis for management interventions or highlight at risk individuals.

Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) has been associated with reduced post operative survival compared to other types of colic but specific factors associated with reduced long-term survival of these cases have not been evaluated in a large number of horses using survival analysis.To describe post operative survival of EFE cases and to identify factors associated with long-term survival.A prospective, multicentre, international study was conducted using clinical data and long-term follow-up information for 126 horses diagnosed with EFE during exploratory laparotomy at 15 clinics in the UK, Ireland and USA. Descriptive data were generated and survival analysis performed to identify factors associated with reduced post operative survival.For the EFE cohort that recovered following anaesthesia, survival to hospital discharge was 78.5%. Survival to 1 and 2 years post operatively was 50.6 and 34.3%, respectively. The median survival time of EFE cases undergoing surgery was 397 days. Increased packed cell volume (PCV) and increased length of small intestine (SI) resected were significantly associated with increased likelihood of mortality when multivariable analysis of pre- and intraoperative variables were analysed. When all pre-, intra- and post operative variables were analysed separately, only horses that developed post operative ileus (POI) were shown to be at increased likelihood of mortality.Increased PCV, increased length of SI resected and POI are all associated with increased likelihood of mortality of EFE cases. This emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and the need for improved strategies in the management of POI in order to reduce post operative mortality in these cases.The present study provides evidence-based information to clinicians and owners of horses undergoing surgery for EFE about long-term survival. These results are applicable to university and large private clinics over a wide geographical area.