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Equine veterinary journal1986; 18(4); 271-274; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03624.x

Haemostatic abnormalities in horses with colic–their prognostic value.

Abstract: The incidence and nature of coagulation abnormalities in horses presented with colic and the possible prognostic value of these abnormalities was investigated. A coagulogram was performed on each of 24 adult Thoroughbred or Standardbred horses. A coagulogram consisted of measurements of eight parameters; platelet count, plasma fibrinogen, plasma antithrombin III (AT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin clotting time (TCT), soluble fibrin monomer (SFM) and fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP). Retrospective determination of the cause of the colic and outcome (survival vs non-survival) was carried out. All patients examined had at least one abnormal parameter with the frequency being: Increased SFM 67 per cent; prolonged PTT 63 per cent; prolonged TCT 50 per cent; elevated plasma fibrinogen 46 per cent; reduced platelet count 29 per cent; reduced plasma AT 29 per cent; prolonged PT 25 per cent; and elevated serum FDP 21 per cent. When survivor and non-survivor groups were compared there was little difference in the frequency of abnormalities such as elevated SFM, elevated fibrinogen and prolonged PTT. The abnormalities which had the greatest frequency difference between non-survivors and survivors, and therefore the greatest prognostic value, were decreased AT greater than prolonged TCT = prolonged PT greater than elevated FDP greater than reduced platelet count. The frequency of these abnormalities in non-survivors compared to survivors was 8.6:1, 7.1:1, 5.7:1 and 3.6:1, respectively. The average number of abnormal parameters in non-survivors (five) was significantly greater than in survivors (two).
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Publication Date: 1986-07-01 PubMed ID: 3758003DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03624.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research focuses on investigating the occurrence and nature of coagulation abnormalities in horses exhibiting symptoms of colic and the potential of these abnormalities to predict the outcomes. 24 adult Thoroughbred or Standardbred horses were studied and eight parameters involved in blood clotting were measured. The study found that all horses had at least one abnormal parameter. Differences between survivors and non-survivors were also noted.

Methodology and Observations

  • The study involved 24 adult Thoroughbred or Standardbred horses that were suffering from colic. Their coagulation abilities were studied by performing a coagulogram on each, which comprised measurements of eight parameters. These parameters were platelet count, plasma fibrinogen, plasma antithrombin III (AT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin clotting time (TCT), soluble fibrin monomer (SFM) and fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP).
  • The cause of colic and the survival outcome of each patient were determined retrospectively. Every horse studied had at least one parameter abnormal, with increased SFM showing up in 67% of the horses, prolonged PTT in 63%, prolonged TCT in 50%, and elevated plasma fibrinogen in 46%. Reduced platelet count and plasma AT were seen in 29% of the cases, prolonged PT in 25%, and elevated serum FDP in 21%.

Comparative Analysis of Survivor and non-survivor groups

The survivor and non-survivor groups were compared in terms of the frequency of specific abnormalities.

  • On comparison, it was noted that the frequency of abnormalities such as elevated SFM, elevated fibrinogen, and prolonged PTT were similar in both survivor and non-survivor groups.
  • However, the most significant difference in abnormalities between non-survivors and survivors, implying the greatest prognostic value, were seen in decreased AT, prolonged PT, prolonged TCT, elevated FDP, and reduced platelet count.
  • The frequency of these abnormalities in non-survivors in comparison to survivors was 8.6:1, 7.1:1, 5.7:1, and 3.6:1, respectively.
  • On average, non-survivor horses had a significantly higher number (five) of abnormal parameters than the survivor horses (two).

Conclusion

  • The study provides substantial evidence of how specific coagulation abnormalities can be used as prognostic indicators of colic in horses.
  • Decreased AT, prolonged PT, prolonged TCT, elevated FDP, and reduced platelet count were identified as the most significant prognostic factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Johnstone IB, Crane S. (1986). Haemostatic abnormalities in horses with colic–their prognostic value. Equine Vet J, 18(4), 271-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03624.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Pages: 271-274

Researcher Affiliations

Johnstone, I B
    Crane, S

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Blood Coagulation Disorders / etiology
      • Blood Coagulation Disorders / veterinary
      • Colic / blood
      • Colic / complications
      • Colic / veterinary
      • Gastrointestinal Diseases / blood
      • Gastrointestinal Diseases / complications
      • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / blood
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horses
      • Prognosis

      Citations

      This article has been cited 7 times.
      1. Nomura M, Mizobe F, Kato T, Kuroda T, Urayama S, Muranaka M. Evaluating continuous blood coagulopathy in assessing the severity of acute colitis in Thoroughbred racehorses. J Equine Sci 2018 Sep;29(3):79-85.
        doi: 10.1294/jes.29.79pubmed: 30250396google scholar: lookup
      2. Cesarini C, Cotovio M, Ríos J, Armengou L, Jose-Cunilleras E. Association Between Necropsy Evidence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Hemostatic Variables Before Death in Horses With Colic. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):269-75.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.13659pubmed: 26581617google scholar: lookup
      3. Sandholm M, Vidovic A, Puotunen-Reinert A, Sankari S, Nyholm K, Rita H. D-dimer improves the prognostic value of combined clinical and laboratory data in equine gastrointestinal colic. Acta Vet Scand 1995;36(2):255-72.
        doi: 10.1186/BF03547694pubmed: 7484552google scholar: lookup
      4. Reeves MJ, Curtis CR, Salman MD, Hilbert BJ. Prognosis in equine colic patients using multivariable analysis. Can J Vet Res 1989 Jan;53(1):87-94.
        pubmed: 2914230
      5. Darien BJ, Potempa J, Moore JN, Travis J. Antithrombin III activity (residual thrombin activity) in plasma from non-medicated or heparinized horses. Vet Res Commun 1989;13(1):31-46.
        doi: 10.1007/BF00366851pubmed: 2773304google scholar: lookup
      6. Pascoe PJ, Ducharme NG, Ducharme GR, Lumsden JH. A computer-derived protocol using recursive partitioning to aid in estimating prognosis of horses with abdominal pain in referral hospitals. Can J Vet Res 1990 Jun;54(3):373-8.
        pubmed: 2199007
      7. Macleod BM, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM, Bishop RC. Integration of machine learning and viscoelastic testing to improve survival prediction in horses experiencing acute abdominal pain at a veterinary teaching hospital. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):105-114.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14517pubmed: 40275538google scholar: lookup
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