Evaluation of intra-abdominal pressure in horses that crib

Abstract

Objective: To measure intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in horses that crib and compare it with IAP in horses that do not have this vice.

Study design: Cohort study.

Animals: Healthy cribbing horses (cribbing cohort, n = 8) and 8 healthy noncribbing horses (noncribbing cohort).

Methods: A microsensor catheter was introduced into the peritoneal cavity through the right paralumbar fossa, using local anesthesia, for measurement of IAP. These pressures were recorded in 1-minute intervals for 2 hours, while the horses were standing tied in a stall. IAPs of cribbing horses were compared to the noncribbing cohort.

Results: Baseline IAPs were not significantly different between cribbing and noncribbing cohorts (P = .076); however, IAPs in the cribbing cohort were significantly increased when compared with the noncribbing cohort, during active cribbing behavior (P = .0016). Frequency of cribbing was not associated with increased IAP (P = .35). IAPs in the cribbing cohort remained significantly elevated compared with the noncribbing cohort, even after the behavior had ceased (P = .0002).

Conclusion: Cribbing is associated with increased IAP in the horse, both during and after the behavior.