The effects of bit chewing on borborygmi, duodenal motility, and gastrointestinal transit time in clinically normal horses

Autor: Frank M. Andrews, B.S. Leise, Molly E. Patton, Rose E. Baker
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Veterinary surgery : VSREFERENCES. 51(1)
ISSN: 1532-950X
Popis: OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of bit chewing on gastrointestinal transit in clinically normal horses. STUDY DESIGN Prospective crossover designed study. ANIMALS Six healthy adult horses. METHODS Horses were assigned randomly to treatment (apple flavored bit) and control (no-bit) groups and studied for 2 × 1-week trial periods with a 2-week washout period between trials. Horses were fasted for 24 h and slowly refed over 3 days. The bit was placed for 20 min every 6 h. Duodenal contractions and borborygmi auscultations were evaluated every 12 h, approximately 5 min following bit placement. Gastrointestinal total transit time (GI TTT) was measured by administering 200 colored beads via stomach tube and then collected in the manure until 50% and 80% were recovered. Measured variables were compared using an ANOVA or Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the P value was noted. RESULTS The GI TTT was shortened in the bit chewing group (median: 106.37 h, range: 70-171 h) compared to the no-bit group (median: 170.1 h, range: 149-186 h) (P = .0156) at 80% bead passage (only 4/6 horses passed 80%). Borborygmi (P = .8193), duodenal contractions (P = .2605), and 50% bead passage (P = .0781) showed no differences. CONCLUSION Bit chewing was safe, inexpensive, and well tolerated. Bit chewing shortened GI TTT and might be an adjunct therapy to augment GI TTT. Further clinical studies are warranted. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Ileus is a common complication following equine abdominal surgery with no current consistently successful treatment. Bit chewing may be a simple and inexpensive way to augment progressive GI motility.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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