The magnitude of hyperchloremia in horses is associated with diarrhea and renal function.
Abstract: To describe the signalment, diagnosis, treatment, and laboratory characteristics of horses with hyperchloremia and identify factors associated with the magnitude of the increased chloride concentration. Unassigned: Horses with a chloride concentration greater than 108 mEq/L were included in this retrospective study. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify associations between diagnosis, treatment, and laboratory variables and the magnitude of hyperchloremia. Unassigned: 134 horses met the inclusion criteria for this study. Creatinine was a significant predictor (unstandardized regression coefficient [B] = 1.36; 95% CI, 0.51 to 2.21; P = .003) of an increased chloride concentration as was the presence of diarrhea (B = 1.43; 95% CI, 0.08 to 2.79; P = .039). Sodium concentration also showed a strong association with chloride in all models (B = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.53; P < .001). The mortality rate for the horses in this study was 24%. Unassigned: Horses with diarrhea are likely to be at risk for more profound hyperchloremia. There was also a positive association between increased creatinine and increased chloride. Unassigned: Equine practitioners who diagnose and treat horses with diarrhea should be aware that significant hyperchloremia could develop. The changes in chloride concentration associated with increasing creatinine values require further research, but the finding supports the association between hyperchloremia and acute kidney injury observed in other species.
Publication Date: 2025-07-16 PubMed ID: 40669507DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.25.02.0071Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper examines the link between high chloride levels in horses’ blood, known as hyperchloremia, and conditions such as diarrhea and renal function. Its findings highlight that horses with diarrhea or high creatinine levels, which can indicate kidney issues, are likely to have more pronounced hyperchloremia.
Study Design and Methodology
- The study retrospectively analyzed horses that had been found to have notably high chloride levels, over 108 mEq/L. The data used included their medical profile, diagnosis, treatments received, and specific lab test results.
- The research used statistical tools, namely descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression analysis, to unearth potential relationships between the medical diagnosis, treatment, and lab variables, and the extent of hyperchloremia.
Results and Findings
- A total of 134 horses met the eligibility criteria for the study.
- Creatinine and diarrhea were significant predictors of increased chloride concentration. A unit increase in the creatinine resulted in a predicted increase of 1.36 units in the chloride concentration, while diarrheic horses showed a similar increase by 1.43 units.
- There was a strong correlation between sodium and chloride levels in all the analytical models used.
- The study also noted a mortality rate of 24% among the studied horses.
Interpretation
- The results indicate that horses suffering from diarrhea are likely more prone to experiencing severe hyperchloremia. There was also a positive correlation identified between increased creatinine and increased chloride levels.
Implications for Practice
- Equine practitioners, therefore, need to consider the potential development and risks of significant hyperchloremia when diagnosing and treating horses with diarrhea.
- Moreover, the observed link between higher creatinine values and rising chloride concentration warrants further research. However, it currently reinforces the existing notion of a relationship between hyperchloremia and acute kidney injury, already documented in other species.
Cite This Article
APA
Fielding CL.
(2025).
The magnitude of hyperchloremia in horses is associated with diarrhea and renal function.
Am J Vet Res, 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.02.0071 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
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