Factors that influence owner consent for exploratory laparotomy in horses with colic in Australia and New Zealand

Background Horse owners' motivators and barriers for consent to exploratory laparotomy are poorly understood. Objectives To (1) determine the proportion of Australian and New Zealand horse owners who would consent to exploratory laparotomy and (2) identify motivators and barriers for consent. Study design Cross-sectional survey. Methods A questionnaire was developed and distributed online. Descriptive statistics were calculated by tabulating respondents by their answers to whether they would consent to exploratory laparotomy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify variables associated with consenting to exploratory laparotomy. Results Two thousand two hundred horse owners participated with a 68.3% survey completion rate. Most were female (95.6%), and 18.7% stated they would consent to exploratory laparotomy, 55.2% would consider exploratory laparotomy and 26.1% would not consent to exploratory laparotomy being performed on their horse. Geographical location, intended use of the horse and perceptions regarding the cost and prognosis of exploratory laparotomy, as well as the previous experience of respondents significantly impacted the decision. Self-reported level of financial comfort, gender of respondents, number of horses owned and pre-existing relationship with nearest equine referral clinic did not impact the decision. Top motivators for exploratory laparotomy were high probability of survival, trust in hospital, emotional value of horse and the alternative being euthanasia. Top barriers for exploratory laparotomy were financial cost, uncertain outcome, welfare concern and age of the horse. Main limitations Self-selection bias and acquiescence in responses. Conclusions Most respondents indicated that they would consider or consent to exploratory laparotomy. Several factors for owners to decide for exploratory laparotomy could be identified. Improved owner education regarding the positively reported survival rates for exploratory laparotomy would be beneficial.