Table 4.
Univariable analysis for clinical variables from 822 horses on the primary presentation to veterinary practitioners for clinical signs of colic, categorised as critical or non-critical on the basis of case outcome
| Variable | Coefficient | Odds ratio | 95 % CI | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous | ||||
| Age (years) | 0.06 | 1.06 | 1.04–1.08 | <0.001 |
| Estimated weight (kg) | −0.00 | 1.0 | 1.00–1.00 | 0.247 |
| Combined pain score (max. 17) | 0.30 | 1.35 | 1.28–1.43 | <0.001 |
| Heart rate (beats per minute) | 0.08 | 1.08 | 1.07–1.10 | <0.001 |
| Respiratory rate (breaths per minute) | 0.06 | 1.06 | 1.05–1.08 | <0.001 |
| Rectal temperature | −0.20 | 0.82 | 0.64–1.05 | 0.114 |
| Total gut sounds | −0.38 | 0.68 | 0.64–0.73 | <0.001 |
| Categorical | ||||
| Breed | ||||
| Pony | Ref. | |||
| Arab/Arab × | 0.41 | 1.51 | 0.97–2.38 | 0.072 |
| Cob | 0.87 | 2.38 | 0.90–6.31 | 0.081 |
| Cross breed | 0.81 | 2.24 | 1.36–3.69 | 0.002 |
| Warm blood/sports horse | −0.07 | 0.93 | 0.30–2.87 | 0.901 |
| Heavy type | 0.23 | 1.25 | 0.77–2.05 | 0.368 |
| Thoroughbred (TB)/TB × | −0.71 | 0.49 | 0.11–2.19 | 0.352 |
| Sex | ||||
| Mare | Ref. | |||
| Gelding | −0.09 | 0.91 | 0.66–1.27 | 0.588 |
| Stallion | −1.01 | 0.37 | 0.11–1.23 | 0.105 |
| Body condition score | ||||
| Thin | Ref. | |||
| Moderate | 0.41 | 1.51 | 0.85–2.66 | 0.158 |
| Overweight | −0.12 | 0.89 | 0.56–1.41 | 0.604 |
| Kicking | ||||
| None | Ref. | |||
| Slight/occasional | 0.11 | 1.11 | 0.76–1.63 | 0.583 |
| Moderate/frequent | 0.98 | 2.65 | 1.65–4.27 | <0.001 |
| Severe/continuous | 2.39 | 10.89 | 2.83–41.91 | 0.001 |
| Pawing | ||||
| None | Ref. | |||
| Slight/occasional | −0.39 | 0.68 | .045–1.02 | 0.064 |
| Moderate/frequent | 0.82 | 2.27 | 1.49–3.47 | <0.001 |
| Severe/continuous | 1.29 | 3.65 | 1.32–10.10 | 0.013 |
| Sweating | ||||
| None | Ref. | |||
| Slight/occasional | 0.59 | 1.80 | 1.14–2.83 | 0.011 |
| Moderate/frequent | 1.98 | 7.28 | 4.59–11.52 | <0.001 |
| Severe/continuous | 3.03 | 20.70 | 10.32–41.5 | <0.001 |
| Flank watching | ||||
| None | Ref. | |||
| Slight/occasional | −0.28 | 0.76 | 0.50–1.15 | 0.194 |
| Moderate/frequent | 0.82 | 2.26 | 1.45–3.53 | <0.001 |
| Severe/continuous | 2.13 | 8.44 | 2.49–28.58 | 0.001 |
| Attempts to lie down | ||||
| None | Ref. | |||
| Slight/occasional | 0.10 | 1.10 | 0.58–2.09 | 0.773 |
| Moderate/frequent | 1.05 | 2.85 | 1.61–5.05 | <0.001 |
| Severe/continuous | 2.49 | 12.02 | 6.53–22.13 | <0.001 |
| Demeanour | ||||
| Standing normally, BAR | Ref. | |||
| Lowered head | 1.75 | 5.73 | 3.48–9.43 | <0.001 |
| Twitching/agitated | 1.99 | 7.32 | 4.70–11.40 | <0.001 |
| Absence of gut sounds | ||||
| No | Ref. | |||
| Yes | 2.12 | 8.33 | 5.77–12.03 | <0.001 |
| Capillary refill time | ||||
| <2.5 s | Ref. | |||
| >2.5 s | 2.78 | 16.14 | 8.97–29.04 | <0.001 |
| Mucous membrane colour | ||||
| Pink | Ref. | |||
| Red | 2.06 | 7.86 | 4.13–14.93 | <0.001 |
| Cyanotic | 4.87 | 130.1 | 17.6–964.1 | <0.001 |
| Pulse character | ||||
| Strong | Ref. | |||
| Weak | 1.20 | 7.39 | 4.72–11.56 | <0.001 |
| Recent management change | ||||
| None | Ref. | |||
| Box rest | −1.72 | 0.180 | 0.04–.077 | 0.020 |
| Increased stabling | −0.26 | 0.77 | 0.34–1.76 | 0.538 |
| Decreased exercise | −1.65 | 0.19 | 0.03–1.50 | 0.115 |
| Moved yards | −0.25 | 0.78 | 0.37–1.66 | 0.522 |
| Field change/turnout | −0.82 | 0.44 | 0.21–0.93 | 0.032 |
| Diet/bedding change | −0.33 | 0.72 | 0.38–1.36 | 0.306 |
| Weather | −0.76 | 0.47 | 0.13–1.65 | 0.238 |
| Other | −0.18 | 0.84 | 0.32–2.17 | 0.711 |
| Recent faeces | ||||
| Faeces passed in past 6 h | Ref. | |||
| No faeces within last 6 h | 1.04 | 2.82 | 1.90–4.19 | <0.001 |