Evaluation of digital and laminar blood flow in horses given a low dose of endotoxin.

The research article explores how administering a low dose of endotoxin affects blood flow in the feet of horses. The results showed a significant decrease in blood flow and an increase in heart rate and body temperature.

Methods Used in The Study

• The researchers conducted the study on six healthy horses. They set out to measure blood flow in the horses’ palmar digital artery and laminae corium.
• To measure digital blood flow, an ultrasonic flow probe was positioned around the palmar digital artery. They used a laser Doppler flow probe to assess laminar perfusion by inserting it into a hole on the dorsal part of the hoof wall.
• All of the horses first received a saline solution intravenously for 30 minutes. After a rest period of seven days, each horse was administered endotoxin in a saline solution, using the same dosing method.

Data Collection

• Various health parameters, such as digital blood flow, laminar perfusion, heart and respiratory rates, body temperature, and any clinical signs of endotoxemia, were recorded over a 240-minute period after endotoxin administration.

Findings of The Research

• The administration of saline solution did not cause any notable changes in the variables measured. On the other hand, endotoxin treatment led to mild clinical signs of endotoxemia in all horses.
• Specifically, the endotoxin treatment caused a significant decrease in digital blood flow and an increase in both heart rate and body temperature.
• Laminar perfusion also decreased after endotoxin treatment although the decrease was not as substantial.

Conclusion

• The administration of endotoxin resulted in a significant and temporary decrease in digital blood flow and a less substantial reduction in laminar perfusion.
• The researchers concluded that horses with clinical endotoxemia were likely to have decreased digital blood flow and potentially also decreased laminar perfusion. This could potentially predispose these horses to vascular alterations within the digits.