Related Experiment Videos
Use of clinical pathology in evaluation of horses with colic
1Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Clinical pathology aids in equine colic cases by informing prognosis, surgical decisions, and diagnosis. Key blood tests like hematocrit and lactate, alongside peritoneal fluid analysis, are crucial for effective case management.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Internal Medicine
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Equine colic presents diagnostic and prognostic challenges.
- Physical examination is standard, but adjunct diagnostics are needed.
- Clinical pathology offers valuable insights into colic cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of clinical pathology in equine colic.
- To outline its role in prognosis, surgical decision-making, and diagnosis.
- To highlight specific diagnostic markers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on clinical pathology in equine colic.
- Identification of key hematological and biochemical parameters.
- Evaluation of peritoneal fluid analysis.
Main Results:
- Hematocrit, lactate, urea nitrogen, pH, and anion gap aid prognostication.
- Coagulation markers (fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, antithrombin III, prothrombin time, thrombin time) indicate poor prognosis.
- Peritoneal fluid analysis is valuable for diagnosing peritonitis and intestinal ischemia.
Conclusions:
- Clinical pathology is essential for informed prognosis and surgical decisions in colic cases.
- Specific blood parameters and peritoneal fluid analysis significantly improve diagnostic accuracy.
- Integrating clinical pathology enhances overall equine colic case management.
Abstract:
Clinical pathology is a valuable adjunct to physical examination of cases of colic. The present review considers evaluation of cases of colic for three main purposes: (1) making a prognosis, (2) deciding whether to operate, and (3) making a diagnosis. Blood tests noted to be useful for prognostication were hematocrit, lactate and urea nitrogen concentrations, pH, anion gap, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, antithrombin III activity, prothrombin time, and thrombin time. Horses with a poor prognosis often have relative polycythemia, marked lactic acidosis, high anion gap, azotemia, and coagulation abnormalities evidenced by increased fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, decreased antithrombin III activity, and prolonged prothrombin and thrombin times. The decision to operate is usually a clinical one, supported by relative polycythemia, hyperglycemia, and, possibly, abnormal peritoneal fluid analysis. Diagnosis of the primary problem (causing the colicky signs) is also often based largely on physical examination. However, peritoneal fluid analysis provides worthwhile data, especially in cases of peritonitis or intestinal ischemia and infarction.