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Published on: January 12, 2018
Blood cell deformability in horses with intestinal colic
T L Seahorn1, S D Gaunt, C Berry
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Horses with intestinal colic show decreased neutrophil deformability, impacting blood flow and survival. This finding highlights a key factor in equine colic severity and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Health
- Hematology
Background:
- Intestinal colic in horses is a common and serious condition.
- Understanding the underlying pathophysiology is crucial for improving treatment and outcomes.
- Previous research has explored various hematologic parameters in colic, but rheologic changes require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hematologic and rheologic differences between horses with and without intestinal colic.
- To assess the relationship between cell filterability, specifically neutrophil deformability, and colic severity and survival.
Main Methods:
- Compared hematologic variables (neutrophil count, plasma fibrinogen, PCV) and cell filterability (blood, erythrocytes, neutrophils) in colic horses versus controls.
- Utilized micropore filtration to measure cell filterability.
- Correlated filterability changes with colic severity and survival rates.
Main Results:
- Horses with colic had significantly increased packed cell volume (PCV).
- Neutrophil and blood filterability were significantly prolonged in colic horses, indicating decreased neutrophil deformability.
- Prolonged filterability correlated with increased colic severity and reduced survival rates.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophil deformability is reduced in horses with intestinal colic, potentially due to endotoxin-induced activation.
- Decreased neutrophil deformability may exacerbate microvascular blood flow impairment in equine colic.
- These rheologic changes offer insights into colic pathophysiology and prognosis.
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