Analysis of peritoneal fluid as a diagnostic aid in grass sickness (equine dysautonomia).

The research article presents an analysis of peritoneal fluid in horses to aid in the diagnosis of grass sickness, a condition also known as equine dysautonomia, as compared to other types of equine colic. It was found that grass sickness cases had unique fluid characteristics compared to both surgical and medical colic cases.

Methodology

• The researchers took samples of peritoneal fluid from a variety of horses – 15 healthy ones, 11 with medical colic, 11 with surgical colic, 20 with acute grass sickness, and 13 with subacute grass sickness.
• The fluid from each group was then analysed. The researchers looked at various characteristics including its appearance, total and differential count of white cells, the specific gravity, total protein concentration, and activity of total and intestinal alkaline phosphatase.

Findings

• The fluid from horses suffering from medical colic was found to be normal for all assessed characteristics.
• For cases involving surgical colic, the fluid was unique in that it was bloodstained and showed high alkaline phosphatase activity.
• Grass sickness cases presented with different fluid characteristics as compared to the other groups. It had a higher specific gravity and protein level compared to those with medical colic even though the appearance was similar.
• Furthermore, grass sickness cases were differentiated from surgical colic cases through the fluid appearance and the lower alkaline phosphatase activity.

Implications

• The findings of the study suggest that evaluating the characteristics of peritoneal fluid can be a valuable tool in the differential diagnosis of equine colic, specifically in cases of grass sickness.
• Particularly, the specific gravity, protein content, and alkaline phosphatase activity of the fluid can offer helpful insights to diagnose and differentiate grass sickness from medical and surgical colic in horses.