Use of clinical pathology in evaluation of horses with colic.
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.
Parry
B W
BW
Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D003085:Colic / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses