1. Treatment approaches to horses with acute diarrhea admitted to referral institutions: A multicenter retrospective study.
- Author
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Gomez, Diego E., Kopper, Jamie J., Byrne, David P., Renaud, David L., Schoster, Angelika, Dunkel, Bettina, Arroyo, Luis G., Mykkanen, Anna, Gilsenan, William F., Pihl, Tina H., Lopez-Navarro, Gabriela, Tennent-Brown, Brett S., Hostnik, Laura D., Mora-Pereira, Mariano, Marques, Fernando, Gold, Jenifer R., DeNotta, Sally L., Desjardins, Isabelle, Stewart, Allison J., and Kuroda, Taisuke
- Subjects
SYSTEMIC inflammatory response syndrome ,POLYMYXIN B ,ANTI-infective agents ,THERAPEUTICS ,FLUID therapy - Abstract
Background: This study aimed to describe and compare therapeutic approaches for horses with acute diarrhea in different geographic regions worldwide. Methods: Clinical information was retrospectively collected from diarrheic horses presented to participating institutions between 2016 and 2020, including fluid therapy on admission, antimicrobial drugs, probiotics, anti-endotoxic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, gastroprotectants, digital cryotherapy, and toxin-binding agents. Seasonal and geographic differences were investigated. Results: 1438 horses from 26 participating hospitals from 5 continents were included. On admission, 65% (926/1419) of horses were administered a fluid bolus. Antimicrobial drugs were administered to 55% (792/1419) within the first 24 hours of admission, with penicillin and gentamicin being the most used combination (25%, 198/792). Horses with leukopenia (OR: 2.264, 95%CI: 1.754 to 2.921; P<0.001) or meeting systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (OR: 2.542, 95%CI: 1.919 to 3.368; P<0.001) had higher odds of being administered antimicrobial drugs. Other treatments administered included probiotics (15%, 215/1438), polymyxin B (13%; 187/1438), pentoxifylline (8%; 118/1438), gastroprotectants (44%; 626/1419), digital cryotherapy (34%; 489/1435), plasma transfusion (13%; 182/1410) and toxin-binding agents (36%; 515/1438). Limitations: Due to the retrospective nature of the study, the rationale for treatment decisions was unavailable, and associations with survival could not be evaluated. Conclusions: Treatments varied between hospitals from different geographic regions. Prospective clinical trials are required to evaluate the effects of various treatments on survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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