Hemostatic abnormalities in equine colic.
Abstract: Hemostatic profiles were determined in 30 horses with clinical colic. Blood samples were obtained at the time of the animal's admission, and the following hemostatic tests were done: blood platelet count, plasma fibrinogen, plasma antithrombin, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, protamine sulfate test for soluble fibrin monomer, and fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products. The patients were categorized in retrospect, according to the cause of the colic: group 1--colic associated with colitis and/or severe diarrhea, group 2--colic associated with torsion or obstruction of the intestine, and group 3--colic associated with impaction of the intestine or the presence of enteroliths. Of the 30 horses with colic, 28 had at least 1 abnormality in their coagulogram--the most frequent abnormalities being high plasma fibrinogen concentration, high circulating soluble fibrin monomer, or a long partial thromboplastin time or thrombin time. The horses in group 1 seemed to have the most severe coagulopathies, as indicated by the average number of demonstrable abnormalities. The horses in group 3 showed the fewest abnormalities--usually a high plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and/or soluble fibrin monomer. The results indicated that hemostatic abnormalities are not uncommon in horses with gastrointestinal disease and colic--the degree of severity depending to some extent on the cause of the colic.
Publication Date: 1986-02-01 PubMed ID: 3954219
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines abnormalities in blood clotting processes (hemostatic abnormalities) in 30 horses suffering from colic, linking specific types of colic to different patterns of hemostatic disturbances.
Study Overview and Methodology
- The study carried out a range of hemostatic tests on 30 horses admitted with clinical colic, a painful condition caused by problems in the horse’s digestive tract. The tests were carried out upon the horse’s admission and aimed to profile the clotting properties of the horses’ blood.
- The hemostatic tests conducted included blood platelet count, plasma fibrinogen, plasma antithrombin, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, a test for soluble fibrin monomer, and a test for fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products. These tests provide a comprehensive analysis of the horse’s hemostatic profile.
- After carrying out the tests, the horses were retrospectively categorized into three groups based on the cause of their colic: colic associated with colitis/severe diarrhea (group 1); colic associated with torsion or obstruction of the intestine (group 2); colic associated with impaction of the intestine or the presence of enteroliths (group 3).
Findings
- The results of the study showed that out of the 30 horses, 28 had at least one hemostatic abnormality. The most commonly observed abnormalities included a high concentration of plasma fibrinogen, a high concentration of circulating soluble fibrin monomer, or a long partial thromboplastin time or thrombin time.
- Furthermore, the horses in group 1 displayed the most severe hemostatic abnormalities, as demonstrated by the average number of abnormal test results. The horses in group 3 recorded the fewest abnormalities, typically presenting with high plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and/or soluble fibrin monomer.
- The findings suggest that hemostatic abnormalities are not a rarity in horses suffering from colic and other gastrointestinal diseases. The severity of these hemostatic abnormalities appears to be influenced, at least to some extent, by the underlying cause of the colic.
Significance
- This research provides critical insights into the hemostatic abnormalities present in colic-affected horses and offers an added layer of understanding when diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal issues in horses.
- The identification of different patterns of hemostatic abnormalities per colic type could assist vets in their initial evaluation of equine colic and potentially help them fine-tune their treatment and management strategies.
- Studies like this further underscore the necessity for comprehensive clinical examinations in identifying not only the primary illness (colic in this case) but coagulopathies and other ancillary issues that could significantly impact the overall health status and recovery of the animal.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnstone IB, Crane S.
(1986).
Hemostatic abnormalities in equine colic.
Am J Vet Res, 47(2), 356-358.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / blood
- Colic / veterinary
- Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / analysis
- Fibrinogen / analysis
- Hemostasis
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Partial Thromboplastin Time
- Platelet Count
- Thrombin Time
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- de Gopegui RR, Suliman HB, Feldman BF. Disseminated intravascular coagulation: Present and future perspective. Comparative Haematology International 1995;5(4):213-226.
- 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.
- 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.
- Johnstone IB, Viel L, Crane S, Whiting T. Hemostatic studies in racing standardbred horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Hemostatic parameters at rest and after moderate exercise. Can J Vet Res 1991 Apr;55(2):101-6.
- Boermans HJ, Johnstone I, Black WD, Murphy M. Clinical signs, laboratory changes and toxicokinetics of brodifacoum in the horse. Can J Vet Res 1991 Jan;55(1):21-7.
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