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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

isotopes, manure, hair, blood, gastrointestinal colic, horses, GIT

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Colic, or abdominal pain, is one of the most prominent clinical signs present in many equine diseases. Gastrointestinal (GIT) colic is one of the leading causes of death in horses. The research initiated here at BYU, as a result of earning an ORCA grant, aims to study this issue. This research has the potential to develop an economic diagnostic tool that uses the values of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in manure, hair, and blood to determine if a horse will respond to medical or surgical treatment of GIT colic. This capability would help veterinarians and/or owners choose the best method of treatment for an affected horse and could determine which horses are not likely to respond to any medical or surgical treatment. This study may also aid in preventive veterinary medicine that could offer horse owners a way to take proactive measures in the care of their animals. If stable isotopes of C and N could be used to predict which horses are at greatest risk of developing GIT colic, owners could individualize their horse’s diet and husbandry.

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