Haematology as an aid to prognosis of chronic laminitis.

This research paper presents a study on how regular complete blood counts (CBC) of horses at the University of Missouri Veterinary Hospital helped in determining prognosis of chronic laminitis – a severe disease of the horses’ feet. The findings suggest that a persistent high count of white blood cells and neutrophilia are indicative of a poor prognosis in laminitic horses.

Background of the study

• The study was conducted to understand the relationship between the complete blood count (CBC) and the prognosis of chronic laminitis in horses.
• The condition of chronic laminitis, a disease that affects the feet of horses, often progresses to ischemic necrosis (death of cells due to lack of blood supply) and secondary infections. These complications contribute to its severity and the prognosis.

Methods of the study

• The University of Missouri Veterinary Hospital conducted CBCs on all hospitalized horses three times a week for six years.
• A preliminary review of these results suggested a link between a consistent level of raised white blood cell count (WBC) and neutrophilia (abnormally high count of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell) and poor prognosis in laminitis-affected horses.
• Based on these preliminary observations, the researchers undertook a retrospective review of the CBCs of laminitic horses that were either discharged alive or had to be euthanized due to severe progression of the disease symptoms.

Conclusion of the study

• The persistently high WBC and neutrophilia are indicative of a poor prognosis in horses with laminitis according to the findings.
• This discovery could serve as a valuable tool for veterinarians in predicting the potential outcome of chronic laminitis and deciding on a course of treatment.