Related Experiment Videos
Echinocytosis in horses: 54 cases (1990)
R J Geor1, E M Lund, D J Weiss
1Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|March 15, 1993
Summary
Echinocytosis, a red blood cell condition, was found in 44% of horses. Low serum sodium (hyponatremia) was significantly linked to echinocytosis in horses, suggesting electrolyte imbalances may play a role.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hematology
- Equine Health
Background:
- Echinocytosis, characterized by crenated red blood cells, is a morphological change observed in equine blood samples.
- The prevalence and clinical associations of echinocytosis in horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of echinocytosis in horses presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital.
- To identify hematologic and biochemical abnormalities associated with echinocytosis in horses.
- To investigate the relationship between echinocytosis and specific clinical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry data from 124 horses.
- Calculation of odds ratios to assess the association between echinocytosis and various laboratory abnormalities.
- Multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of echinocytosis.
Main Results:
- Echinocytosis was present in 54 out of 124 horses (44% prevalence).
- Colitis was the most frequent diagnosis (43%) in horses with echinocytosis.
- Low serum sodium concentration (hyponatremia) was the only variable significantly associated with echinocytosis in the multivariate model.
- Common biochemical abnormalities in horses with echinocytosis included hyponatremia, hypochloremia, low total carbon dioxide, hypoosmolality, and hypocalcemia.
Conclusions:
- Hyponatremia is associated with an increased incidence of echinocytosis in horses.
- Systemic electrolyte depletion may contribute to the formation of echinocytes in horses.