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Haematological changes during development of acute laminitis hypertension
Equine Veterinary Journal
|October 1, 1981
Summary
Hematological changes, including altered packed cell volume and decreased platelets, precede severe lameness in horses experiencing carbohydrate overload. These findings suggest fluid shifts and stress responses contribute to laminitis.
Area of Science:
- Equine medicine
- Veterinary hematology
- Animal physiology
Background:
- Laminitis is a debilitating condition in horses.
- Carbohydrate overload is a known trigger for laminitis.
- Early detection of laminitis is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hematological changes during the development of laminitis following experimental carbohydrate overload in horses.
- To identify early hematological markers predictive of laminitis onset and severity.
Main Methods:
- Experimental induction of laminitis in 15 horses via carbohydrate overload.
- Monitoring of hematological parameters including packed cell volume, leucocyte differential count, serum glucose, protein, and platelets.
- Assessment of lameness using Obel grade and circulatory state.
Main Results:
- Significant alterations in packed cell volume, leucocyte differential count, serum glucose, and protein levels were observed before the onset of Obel grade 3 lameness.
- Blood platelet counts significantly decreased 8 hours after the onset of severe lameness.
- Findings indicated hemoconcentration and a leucocytic stress response.
Conclusions:
- Early hematological changes precede clinical signs of laminitis in horses.
- Fluid shifts and stress responses involving adrenoglucocorticoids and catecholamines are implicated in laminitis development.
- Hematological monitoring may aid in the early diagnosis and management of equine laminitis.