Home Equine Research Bank Can Vet J Prognostic features and clinical presentation of acute idiop...

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1991; 32(4); 232-237;

Prognostic features and clinical presentation of acute idiopathic enterocolitis in horses.

Staempfli, HR
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Townsend, HG
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Prescott, JF

Abstract: Clinical and hematological changes observed on presentation of 47 horses referred to the Ontario Veterinary College with acute idiopathic colitis were analyzed for their prognostic features. Cases of acute enterocolitis were characterized by fever, dehydration, abnormalities of serum electrolyte concentrations, azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum concentrations of muscle enzymes. Severely dehydrated horses were seven times more likely to die or be euthanized than those that were not dehydrated. Other factors associated with failure to survive included the following: increased hematocrit, increased number of band neutrophils, increased serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and decreased blood pH and increasingly negative base excess. The results of multivariate variable analysis (stepwise logistic regression) suggested that, among the variables tested, base excess was the best predictor of death or survival. Twenty of 47 horses died or were euthanized. Reasons for death or euthanasia included: severe disseminated intravascular coagulation, unresponsiveness of severe metabolic acidosis and hypoproteinemia to treatments, and severity of colonic lesions on exploratory laparotomy. Of the surviving horses, three developed chronic laminitis (two were destroyed) and five developed jugular vein thrombosis. Fourteen of 16 horses for which subsequent histories were available returned to normal function.Early recognition of the disease, combined with early and aggressive correction of dehydration and of acid-base imbalance, may be important determinants of survival in horses with acute idiopathic colitis.

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Publication Date: 1991-04-01 PubMed ID: 17423769PubMed Central: PMC1481315

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The study investigates the clinical features and survival predictors for horses diagnosed with acute idiopathic colitis, observing that dehydration severity, altered blood parameters, and base excess in the blood have significant prognostic implications.

Introduction and Methodology

This research study examines the clinical presentations and blood changes in 47 horses diagnosed with acute idiopathic (unexplained origin) colitis, all of whom were referred to the Ontario Veterinary College.
The aim was to identify parameters that could serve as prognostic indicators for the condition. Prognostic indicators are elements or factors that can help predict a disease’s outcome.

Findings

Horses with acute enterocolitis showed symptoms like fever, dehydration, alterations in serum electrolyte concentrations, increased blood urea and creatinine, low blood albumin, and heightened serum muscle enzymes.
Horses that were severely dehydrated were found to be seven times more likely to die or be euthanized compared to those without severe dehydration.
Other markers suggesting a higher mortality risk included elevated hematocrit (volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood) levels, increased count of band neutrophils (immature white blood cells), abnormal serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and decreased blood pH and increasingly negative base excess.