Haematological changes during development of acute laminitis hypertension.

This research article discusses how the administration of a carbohydrate overload to horses resulted in predictable changes in blood composition (or “haematological changes”) before and during the onset of acute laminitis hypertension, a severe and painful hoof disease.

Introduction to the Study

• The study tested the effects of carbohydrate overload, a known trigger for laminitis in horses, by administering it to 15 horses and monitoring changes in their blood during the development of laminitis.
• The aim was to identify any consistent changes in variables such as packed cell volume, leucocyte differential count (white blood cell types and their percentages), serum glucose levels, and protein values that occurred before and during the onset of severe lameness associated with laminitis.

Key Findings

• The study found that there are indeed significant haematological changes that occur before the onset of severe lameness (characterised by an Obel grade 3) and a hyperkinetic circulatory state.
• Blood platelets, key components in blood clot formation, were found to decrease significantly 8 hours after the onset of severe lameness.
• The study suggests that these haematological changes could be due to a haemoconcentration (increased concentration of cells and solids in the blood), which may result from compartmental fluid shifts within the body.
• The leucocytic or white blood cell stress response observed was associated with increased levels of circulating adrenoglucocorticoids and/or catecholamines – hormones produced during stress.

Implications of the Study

• The research provides valuable insights into the physiological changes that occur during the development of acute laminitis hypertension. Such understanding could be instrumental in early detection and better management of this severely debilitating condition in horses.
• The study also opens potential pathways for future research into the role of various hormonal responses in the development of acute laminitis hypertension.