The effect of colloid formulation on colloid osmotic pressure in horses with naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease.
Abstract: Naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease is an important cause of acute hypoproteinemia in adult horses and hydroxyethyl starch colloid fluid treatment is a component of supportive care in these cases to improve plasma volume and maintain colloid osmotic pressure (COP). The objectives of the present study were to compare 2 formulations of high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch and their relative effect on COP, acid-base status, and survival of horses with acute hypoproteinemia secondary to gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Twenty adult horses, ≥ 1 year of age, were prospectively enrolled, with informed client consent, if they developed acute hypoproteinemia, defined as a plasma total protein <5.0 g/dL or albumin <2.2 g/dL during hospitalization while undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal disease. Horses were randomly assigned to receive a rapid infusion of either 6% hydroxyethyl starch in 0.9% saline or 6% hydroxyethyl starch in lactated ringers solution at a dose of 10 ml/kg. Venous blood gas analysis, COP, and PCV were evaluated before and after colloid administration. Results: For both groups, average COP prior to treatment was 11.0 mmHg (9.7 - 12.2 mmHg) and post colloid treatment was 13.2 mmHg (12.0 -14.7 mmHg) [Normal range 18 - 22 mmHg]. COP was significantly increased with colloid treatment (p<0.001) but this increase was not significantly different between treatment groups. Venous pH did not change significantly with treatment. Twelve horses survived to hospital discharge and survival did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Conclusions: Post-treatment COP improved approximately 20% regardless of the formulation used, however, values did not reach the normal range of COP observed in healthy horses. Acid-base parameters were not significantly impacted by either treatment. Further study is needed to determine how these two products compare with regards to other outcome measures. Evaluation of the relative effects of colloid formulation in horses with clinical disease is a future area of interest.
Publication Date: 2014-07-07 PubMed ID: 25237987PubMed Central: PMC4123155DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S8Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on analyzing the effectiveness of two different types of high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch in improving colloid osmotic pressure (COP), acid-base status, and survival rate in horses suffering from acute hypoproteinemia due to gastrointestinal disease.
Research Aim and Methodology
- The research aimed to understand the effect of different colloid formulations, specifically, two types of high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch on horses affected by gastrointestinal disease, which causes acute hypoproteinemia. This is characterized by low plasma total protein levels and albumin.
- 20 adult horses that developed acute hypoproteinemia during treatment for gastrointestinal diseases were enrolled in the study.
- The selected horses were divided into two groups and infused with either 6% hydroxyethyl starch in saline or the same starch in lactated ringers. The dosage was kept 10 ml/kg.
- The venous blood gas analysis, COP, and packed cell volume (PCV) were recorded before and after administering the treatments.
Findings of the Study
- Before the treatment, the average COP for both the groups was recorded at 11.0 mmHg, which increased to 13.2 mmHg after the treatment. This improvement, however, did not reach the normal COP range of 18-22 mmHg as observed in healthy horses.
- The increase in COP post-treatment was significant, but no significant difference was found between the two treatment groups.
- There was no noticeable change in the venous pH after the treatment.
- The study recorded 12 out of 20 horses survived to hospital discharge, and the survival rate did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups.
Conclusions and Future Research
- The research concluded that the COP showed an improvement of nearly 20% irrespective of the type of hydroxyethyl starch used, though values did not reach the standard range seen in healthy horses.
- Neither treatment significantly impacted the acid-base parameters of the horses.
- The findings suggest a need for more comprehensive studies to compare these products’ impact on other outcome measures.
- The study poses a future scope in exploring the effects of colloid formulation on horses having critical conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Bellezzo F, Kuhnmuench T, Hackett ES.
(2014).
The effect of colloid formulation on colloid osmotic pressure in horses with naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease.
BMC Vet Res, 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S8.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colloids / chemistry
- Colloids / pharmacology
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / chemistry
- Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / pharmacology
- Isotonic Solutions / chemistry
- Isotonic Solutions / pharmacology
- Male
- Osmotic Pressure / drug effects
- Ringer's Lactate
References
This article includes 15 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Crabtree NE, Epstein KL. Current Concepts in Fluid Therapy in Horses. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:648774.
- Arroyo LG, Sears W, Gomez DE. Plasma transfusions in horses with typhlocolitis/colitis. Can Vet J 2019 Feb;60(2):193-196.
- Shaw SD, Stämpfli H. Diagnosis and Treatment of Undifferentiated and Infectious Acute Diarrhea in the Adult Horse. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2018 Apr;34(1):39-53.
- Woods Cuneo S, Abi-Nader BA, Blasczynski SJ, Chigerwe M. Effects of Plasma and Hetastarch Administration on Colloid Oncotic Pressure and Coagulation Variables in Dairy Calves and Goats. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70079.
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