Investigating gut microbiome in horses that had laparotomy for treatment of primary large colon disease

Horses treated surgically for colic signs associated with large colon disease are more likely to develop postoperative recurrent colic episodes. Delayed recovery of gut bacteria following surgery is one potential mechanism of this observation. The study aimed at investigating gut microbiota before and overtime following laparotomy in horses diagnosed with a primary large colon disease and to compare findings to a control group of horses undergoing emergency orthopedic treatment.