Data from: Pre-operative feeding effects on post-anaesthetic colic and faecal output in horses
Data files
Jun 01, 2026 version files 174.72 KB
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Data_anaesthesia.xlsx
165.98 KB
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README.md
8.75 KB
Abstract
Post-anaesthetic colic (PAC) is a complication in horses undergoing general anaesthesia (GA). Various preoperative feeding strategies are used in equine practice, yet their impact on PAC remains unclear. Our objectives were to identify perioperative risk factors associated with PAC and evaluate the influence of preoperative fasting on PAC incidence and faecal output. This was a retrospective cohort study. Medical records of horses undergoing non-abdominal surgery under GA were reviewed. Horses were categorised into fasted and non-fasted groups based on their pre-anaesthetic feeding regimen. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with PAC. Differences in faecal output and water intake between groups were analysed using a two-tailed hypothesis test. A total of 620 cases were included. Fasting (OR 2.7, 95 % CI 1.4–5.5, P = 0.005), increased surgery duration (per minute) (OR 1.01, 95 % CI 1.002–1.02, P = 0.017), and increasing age (OR 1.08, 95 % CI 1.02–1.15, P = 0.012) were significantly associated with PAC. Non-fasted horses passed significantly more manure postoperatively. Median (IQR) manure production per hour was 0.44 (0.31–0.61) in non-fasted versus 0.38 (0.25–0.50) in fasted horses during the first 24 hours post-anaesthesia (P < 0.001), and 0.53 (0.42–0.67) vs. 0.50 (0.36–0.63) in the second 24 hours post-anaesthesia (P = 0.04). Water intake 12 hours pre-anaesthesia was also higher in non-fasted horses (1.02 [0.73–1.75] L/hour) compared to fasted horses (0.88 [0.53–1.75] L/hour; , P < 0.001). Our study's main limitations included poor overall accuracy of the predictive model obtained. The retrospective design of the study may introduce bias due to possible inconsistencies in medical records. Pre-operative fasting was associated with increased risk of PAC and reduced faecal output in horses. These findings support reconsidering fasting practices in equine anaesthesia.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.k3j9kd5n9
This dataset contains clinical data collected from equine patients undergoing anaesthesia. Variables include patient characteristics, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data, as well as calculated outcomes. The dataset is intended to support analysis to identify risk factors and assess the impact of fasting on gastrointestinal function.
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset is provided as a single spreadsheet file:
- Data_anaesthesia.xlsx: tabular dataset where each row represents an individual case (one horse undergoing anaesthesia), and each column represents a variable.
The dataset includes the following variables:
Variable Description Units / Categories Casenumber Unique identifier assigned to each clinical case Numeric identifier Age Age of horse at time of surgery/anaesthesia Years Sex Biological sex of horse M = male, F = female Breed Breed classification of horse Text categories Weight Body weight of horse Kilograms (kg) Admissiondaybefore Whether the horse was admitted the day before surgery Yes / No Fasted12h Whether the horse was fasted for 12 hours before surgery Yes / No totalperhourminus12hours Total number of droppings per hour during the 12 hours prior to fasting/surgery Quantity per hour totalperhourbeforesx Total number of droppings per hour prior to surgery Quantity per hour totalperhour24h Total number of droppings per hour during first 24 postoperative hours Quantity per hour totalperhour48h Total number of droppings per hour during 24–48 postoperative hours Quantity per hour totalperhour68 Total number of droppings per hour during 48–72 postoperative hours Quantity per hour totalperhourpostop Total postoperative number of droppings per hour Quantity per hour totalwaterperhourmines12 Water intake per hour during the 12 hours prior to surgery Volume per hour Totalwaterbeforesx Total water intake prior to surgery Volume totalwater24hperhour Water intake per hour during first 24 postoperative hours Volume per hour totalwater48hperhour Water intake per hour during 24–48 postoperative hours Volume per hour totalwater68hperhour Water intake per hour during 48–72 postoperative hours Volume per hour totalwaterperhourpostop Total postoperative water intake per hour Volume per hour Surgerycategory Surgical procedure classification/category Text categories Timeampm Time of procedure categorised by AM or PM AM / PM PreopNSAIDs Preoperative administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Yes / No PreopPen Preoperative administration of penicillin Yes / No PreopGent Preoperative administration of gentamicin Yes / No PreopOxyt Preoperative administration of oxytetracycline Yes / No ACP Preoperative administration of acepromazine Yes / No Locoregional Use of locoregional anaesthesia techniques Yes / No ISO Use of isoflurane anaesthesia Yes / No Tripledrip Use of triple-drip anaesthetic protocol Yes / No CRIdobutamine Administration of continuous rate infusion (CRI) of dobutamine Yes / No CRImedetomidine Administration of continuous rate infusion (CRI) of medetomidine Yes / No PaO2 Arterial oxygen partial pressure mmHg Lactate Blood lactate concentration mmol/L anaethesiadur Duration of anaesthesia Minutes surgerydur Duration of surgery Minutes recoverydur Duration of anaesthetic recovery period Minutes Recromifidine Administration of romifidine during recovery Yes / No CompHypotension Occurrence of intraoperative hypotension complication Yes / No CompHypoxia Occurrence of intraoperative hypoxia complication Yes / No Comphypercapnia Occurrence of hypercapnia complication Yes / No CompIntraawake Intraoperative awareness or movement complication Yes / No PostopNSAIDs Postoperative administration of NSAIDs Yes / No NDAIDduration Duration of postoperative NSAID treatment Days Postopantibiotics Postoperative antibiotic administration Yes / No Postopcolic Occurrence of postoperative colic Yes / No PostopRFO Occurrence of postoperative reduced faecal output Yes / No colicintervention Whether intervention for colic was required Yes / No Postopeyeulcer Occurrence of postoperative corneal ulceration Yes / No Postopmyopathy Occurrence of postoperative myopathy Yes / No Postopasppneumonia Occurrence of postoperative aspiration pneumonia Yes / No PostopPTS Whether euthanasia or postoperative death occurred Yes / No Dayspostsurgery Number of days of hospitalisation following surgery Days
Missing data and coding
- Missing or unavailable data are recorded as “n/a”
- “n/a” indicates that:
- the value was not recorded, OR
- the information was not available at the time of data collection
“n/a” does not represent zero or a measured value.
Units and conventions
- Age: years
- Weight: kilograms
- Time-related variables: hours or minutes
- Physiological measurements: standard clinical units
Access information
Data was derived from the clinical records collected as part of this study (not publicly available)