Serum protein concentrations in horses with severe liver disease: a retrospective study and review of the literature.

The research article discusses a retrospective study focusing on the presence of hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia in horses with severe liver disease, concluding that these conditions are not a common feature in such contexts.

Study Objectives and Methods

• The main aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of hypoproteinemia (low protein concentration in the blood) and hypoalbuminemia (low albumin levels) in horses suffering from severe liver disease.
• The basis for this research was a review of case records and laboratory data for 84 horses that were diagnosed with acute or chronic liver disease and treated at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from 1973 to 1991.

Results and Key Findings

• Of the studied horses, 48% (40 out of 84) displayed serum protein concentrations over the maximum reference value of 7.7 g/dL. This elevated serum protein concentration was associated with hyperglobulinemia, a condition characterized by a high amount of globulin in the blood (P = .00005, R2 = .80).
• Only 13% (11 out of 84) horses had serum albumin levels below the minimum reference range of 2.5 g/dL. Only one of these horses was found to have hypoproteinemia.
• Breaking it down further by the type of liver disease, 18% (9 out of 51) of the horses with chronic disease and 6% (2 out of 33) of the horses with acute liver disease showed albumin levels below the minimum reference value.
• Furthermore, 64% of the horses (54 out of 84) showed globulin concentrations above the maximum reference value of 4.0 g/dL.

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia are not commonly observed in horses suffering from severe liver disease. This counters a potential presumption that these conditions are characteristic features in cases of severe equine liver disease.