[Prognostic parameters in equine colic].

This study analyses the prognostic value of various clinical and lab parameters in diagnosing horses suffering from colic over a two-year period. The research demonstrates significant prognostic values in several quantitative parameters and qualitative variables relating to the creatures’ health.

Objective and Methodology

• The researchers conducted a retrospective study on a total of 271 horses displaying symptoms of colic. This study was performed at the I. Medizinische Tierklinik over a duration of two years.
• Some of the clinical and laboratory diagnostic parameters were tested for their prognostic value. For their analyses, the researchers utilized the Student’s t-test and the Chi-squared test.

Key Findings

• Several quantitative parameters were found to possess a highly significant prognostic value (where P < 0.0001). This simply means that these parameters may be considered reliable for assessing the prognosis or possible outcome of colic in horses.
• These parameters include capillary refill time, pulse rate, heart rate, respiratory rate, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, blood lactate, base excess, and anion gap. All these parameters can be used to assess the physiological condition of the horse and hence make a prognosis.

Qualitative Variables

• Lastly, the study also found that certain qualitative variables held considerable prognostic value (P < 0.00001). These are factors that can be assessed based on quality rather than quantity.
• These variables include the intensity of colic signs, the level of disturbance in the horse’s general condition, the colour of the horse’s oral mucosa, the pulse quality as well as peristalsis. All these can provide vital cues to a horse’s health condition and prognosis for colic.