Title:
Interrogation of the Equine Gastrointestinal Microbiota During and After Colic
Investigators:
Canaan Whitfield-Cargile, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR
Michelle Coleman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Jarred Williams, DVM, PhD, DACVS-LA, DACVECC
Natalia Rodriguez, DVM, DACVIM
If interested, please call the UGA Large Animal Teaching Hospital referral coordinator at 706-542-3223. Alternatively, you can also call Lisa Reno, Clinical Trials Coordinator at 706-296-7818 or email [email protected]
Study Description:
Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are a major cause of illness and death in horses, with colic being the leading fatal condition. Research indicates that GI health in horses is heavily influenced by the interaction between the horse and its microbiota, impacting GI integrity, motility, inflammation, and nutrient digestion. Although several studies have investigated the relationship between a horse’s intestinal microbiota and colic, none have specifically evaluated changes in the microbiota associated with a specific type of colic, nor have they identified the specific bacterial species linked to the colic event. This study aims to use clinical and laboratory expertise to assess microbiota changes in horses with colic and link these shifts to GI health markers. By documenting microbiota shifts during and after colic episodes, the study seeks to identify bacteria associated with the onset and recovery phases, and connecting these findings to overall GI health and function.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Horses between 2 and 20 years of age presenting to UGA VTH for evaluation of colic
- Housed within a120mile radius of the UGA VTH
- Evidence of abdominal pain for at least 6 hours prior to presentation
- Clinical diagnosis of a non-strangulating lesion of the large colon (NSL-LC)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Horses treated with any medications within 30 days prior to onset of colic
- Cases involving a pelvic flexure impaction (or any other simple impaction), sand impaction, or enterolith
- Colic cases requiring abdominal surgery
- Failure to return to exact same lifestyle post-discharge including location, diet, and level of performance within 14 days from discharge from the hospital
- Evidence of recurrent abdominal pain in the 30 days following hospital discharge
Horses will have blood and fecal samples collected at the time of diagnosis of NSL-LC, at discharge from the hospital, and at 7, 14, 21, and 30 days post-discharge from the hospital. Study personnel will travel to the enrolled horses’ locations for the post-discharge sampling.
The collection and analysis of blood and fecal samples will be paid for by study funds. However, all other costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of horses will be the responsibility of the owner.
Potential Benefits to Veterinary Medicine:
There is a critical need to understand the host-microbiota interaction in colic. Ultimately, this study will document microbiota changes during and after an episode of colic, helping to identify the types of bacteria that might be associated with both the onset of colic and recovery from colic. Moreover, these findings will be linked to health and function, providing valuable insights for improving veterinary care.
