Prolonged use of NSAIDs leads to equine colic

Introduction

Equine colic is a broad term used to describe any form of abdominal pain caused by a variety of factors. Colic is the leading cause of unexpected deaths in domesticated horses (1). On average 4-10% of horses will experience colic throughout their lifetimes. Of that 10% about 64,000 horses die of colic-related problems each year. Death occurs due to the loss of proper function in the digestive system. Factors that can induce colic include obstructions in the digestive tract caused by sand ingestion, parasite infestation, and dehydration. Obstructive colic almost always requires surgery.

Changes in the digestive systems microbiome can also lead to colic. Factors that cause this include moldy feed, high grain based diets, bacterial infection (entritis), or long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are a very common class of medications that are used for short-term pain relief and to reduce inflammation. However, long term use of NSAIDs can alter the microbiome which can lead to effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Common NSAIDs prescribed by veterinarians include phenylbutazone (Bute), flunixin, and ketoprofen (Ketofen) (3). These medications can alter a horse's microbiome and lead to ulcerations.

Interestingly enough NSAIDs have been shown to improve pain in already colicing horses. NSAIDs are a healing agent in colic just as much a causing agent. Little is known about NSAID enteropathy, and therefore NSAID misuse is incredibly common. The equine GI tract microbiome is made up of predominantly bacteroidetes and firmicutes. Bacteroidetes are gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that perform essential metabolic conversions of proteins and complex sugar polymers. Firmicutes are gram-positive which break down carbohydrates such as starch. NSAIDs usually negatively affect the GI tract by decreasing the firmicutes population, which in turn increases the bacteroides population. This leads to decreased starch digestion, a common carbohydrate in food. Since the GI tract has no alternative way to digest the starch, it can lead to colic symptoms such as diarrhea.

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