A comparison of traditional and quantitative analysis of acid-base and electrolyte imbalances in horses with gastrointestinal disorders.

The research article discusses a study comparing traditional and quantitative methods of analysing acid-base and electrolyte imbalances in horses suffering from acute gastrointestinal disorders. The key findings suggest that although both methods reveal disturbances, the quantitative approach is more effective in detecting abnormalities, particularly where strong ion imbalances and hypoproteinemia are observed.

Methods of Analysis

The research undertook a parallel analysis using both traditional and quantitative methods of testing for acid-base and electrolyte imbalances:

• The study used venous blood samples drawn from 115 horses affected by colic and 45 control animals.
• Horses with colic were classified into four categories based on their clinical diagnosis: obstructive, ischemic, inflammatory, and diarrheic problems.
• The specimens were then tested for plasma electrolytes, total protein, albumin, pH, pCO2, tCO2, HCO3-, base excess, anion gap, measured strong ion difference (SIDm), nonvolatile weak buffers (A(tot)), and strong ion gap.

Findings and Conclusions

The results of the study indicated some consistent imbalances across the colic-affected group:

• It was found that all colic horses had a mild but statistically significant decrease in iCa2+ concentration, and potassium levels were mildly but significantly decreased, except in the inflammatory group.
• Additionally, the diarrheic group demonstrated a minor decrease in Na+, tCa, tMg, total protein, albumin, SIDm, and A(tot).
• Though pH was not significantly altered in any colic group, a considerable number of horses across all groups did have a metabolic imbalance.
• However, when using the quantitative method, a significant proportion of the diarrheic horses displayed a distinct metabolic imbalance, mostly consisting of strong ion acidosis and nonvolatile buffer ion alkalosis.

The study concluded that horses with gastrointestinal disorders do have mild acid-base and electrolyte disturbances. However, the quantitative approach demonstrated a greater capacity to identify abnormalities, particularly when strong ion imbalances and hypoproteinemia are evident. Therefore, it is recommended to use the quantitative method in determining acid-base status in such cases.