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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2020; 36(1); 105-120; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.11.004

Clinical Pathology in the Adult Sick Horse: The Gastrointestinal System and Liver.

Abstract: The gastrointestinal tract and liver comprise key components of the equine digestive system and together have important functions in metabolism, digestion, absorption, detoxification, and synthesis. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver are common in clinical practice and can cause a variety of clinical signs. Hematologic and biochemical analysis can be helpful for identifying organ dysfunction, narrowing down the differential diagnostic list, and monitoring progress and response to treatment. This article details hematologic and biochemical tests that are important in the evaluation of intestinal and hepatic diseases and reviews bloodwork trends frequently observed in adult horses affected by enteropathy or hepatopathy.
Publication Date: 2020-01-22 PubMed ID: 31982231PubMed Central: PMC7127838DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.11.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article investigates hematologic and biochemical textures that are critical in assessing the liver and gastrointestinal disorders in adult horses. It also evaluates routine bloodwork trends in horses diagnosed with enteropathy and hepatopathy.

Significance of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Liver

  • Both the gastrointestinal tract and liver play integral roles in a horse’s digestive system. They facilitate key processes like digestion, absorption, metabolism, detoxification, and synthesis.
  • Any dysfunction in these organs can lead to various clinical signs and disorders. These disturbances are often observed in clinical practice, making the study of these functions extremely important.

Methods of Investigation

  • The researchers use hematologic and biochemical analysis as research tools. These help in identifying any organ dysfunction, thus narrowing down the differential diagnostic list.
  • Additionally, these tests can provide valuable data on the progression of the disorder and the horse’s response to treatment.

Adult Horses with Intestinal and Hepatic Diseases

  • The study gives particular attention to hematologic and biochemical tests that can be used to evaluate conditions such as enteropathy (intestinal disease) and hepatopathy (liver disease) in adult horses.
  • The researchers examine routine bloodwork trends associated with these two diseases, providing critical insight into their diagnosis and treatment.

Scope and Impact

  • Through their analysis, the researchers aim to expand the current understanding of these ailments, which can potentially enhance treatment methodologies.
  • This detailed investigation can also help future studies focusing on improving the quality of life for adult horses facing gastrointestinal and liver disorders.

Cite This Article

APA
DeNotta SL, Divers TJ. (2020). Clinical Pathology in the Adult Sick Horse: The Gastrointestinal System and Liver. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 36(1), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2019.11.004

Publication

ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 1
Pages: 105-120

Researcher Affiliations

DeNotta, SallyAnne L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 Southwest 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA. Electronic address: s.denotta@ufl.edu.
Divers, Thomas J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 144 East Avenue, Ithaca NY 14853, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Diseases / pathology
  • Intestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / veterinary
  • Pathology, Clinical

Conflict of Interest Statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.

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