The effect of low dose heparin therapy on complication and survival rates in horses following exploratory celiotomy.
A randomised, blind prospective study was performed to evaluate effects of low dose heparin therapy on complication and survival rates in 33 horses following exploratory celiotomy. Four horses had non-strangulating lesions and seven had strangulating lesions of the small intestine, 19 had non-strangulating lesions of the large intestine, and three had duodenitis-proximal jejunitis. Eighteen required an enterotomy or intestinal resection and anastomosis. Sixteen received heparin subcutaneously (66 iu/kg every 12 h) post operatively and 17 received a saline placebo for a mean of 3.7 days. There was a significant (P < 0.01) mean decrease in PCV (29.1 per cent) in the heparin group. No significant differences in complication or survival rates were seen between groups. Long term follow-up was obtained for 10 horses in each group. There were no significant differences between groups.
Young
D R
DR
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
Richardson
D W
DW
Markel
M D
MD
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin; D003404:Creatinine