E36 - Age and Breed Are Associated with the Requirement for Surgical Intervention for Left Dorsal Displacements

Abstract: Background: Left dorsal displacements (LDDs) are a common cause of colic seen in referral hospitals. Warmbloods (WBs) are overrepresented. The proportion of horses of each breed requiring surgical or medical treatment is currently unknown.

Hypothesis/objectives: To determine if the requirement for surgical intervention for LDDs is breed specific, and to assess breed differences in pre-operative parameters. The hypothesis was that young Thoroughbreds (TBs) would be over-represented in the surgical group.

Animals: Client owned horses admitted to a UK referral hospital between 2007-2021, with a suspected or confirmed LDD.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study; data was collected from hospital records. T-tests and Chi-squared were used for statistical analysis. Horses were included if LDD was highly suspicious on transrectal examination, ultrasonography or confirmed surgically.

Results: 161 horses were included; 43 underwent surgery. Of the horses undergoing medical treatment 59 were TBs and 59 were non-TBs, including 16 WB (27.1%). Of the surgical cases 69.8% were TBs and 30.2% were non-TBs (p = 0.026), (5 WBs). In the TB group, younger age was significantly associated with the need for surgical intervention (p = 0.0005). Of the horses undergoing surgery, admission or pre-operative heart rate, white blood cell concentration, PCV and TP as well as blood and peritoneal lactate were not significantly associated with breed.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Younger Thoroughbreds were more likely to require surgical correction of LDD when compared to other breeds including WBs. This information is useful for discussions of treatment plans with clients.