The prognostic importance of physiological and biochemical parameters in horses afflicted with colic.
Abstract: Colic, a primary cause of illness and death in horses, necessitates the development of improved prognostic tools. Unassigned: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of physiological and biochemical parameters in horses suffering from colic. Unassigned: A comprehensive clinical evaluation of 117 horses included assessment of heart rate, mucous membranes, capillary refill time, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, gut motility, reflux, and limb pulse strength. Unassigned: Stomach reflux, absence of gut noises, and increased heart rate (mean increase of 12 bpm) strongly correlate with a poor prognosis. Prolonged capillary refill time (mean increase of 3 seconds), rectal temperature (over 38.5°C), elevated packed cell volume (mean increase of 4%), and blood lactate levels (mean increase of 5 mmol/l) underscore the significance of these markers. Notably, blood lactate ( < 0.001), gut noises ( < 0.05), and heart rate ( < 0.001) demonstrate the highest predictive significance based on statistical analysis. Unassigned: Future research should investigate the prognostic potential of additional parameters and assess the impact of recommended treatments on colic prognosis. This data-driven study emphasizes the critical role of early recognition and thorough assessment in colic cases, offering vital insights into improving equine healthcare and mitigating mortality rates.
Publication Date: 2024-08-31 PubMed ID: 39308735PubMed Central: PMC11415896DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i8.8Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research aimed to understand the significance of various physiological and biochemical markers in predicting the outcomes or prognosis in horses suffering from colic, a common equine illness.
Objectives of the Study
- The researchers intended to evaluate the prognostic significance of multiple physiological and biochemical parameters in horses afflicted with colic.
- The study aimed to contribute towards the development of improved diagnostic and prognostic tools for colic in horses.
Methods and Parameters
- A total of 117 horses suffering from colic were clinically evaluated in the study.
- The parameters assessed were heart rate, mucous membranes, capillary refill time, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, gut motility, reflux, and limb pulse strength.
Key Findings
- Stomach reflux, absence of gut noises, and an increased heart rate were found to strongly correlate with a poor prognosis in horses with colic.
- Capillary refill time (mean increase of 3 seconds), rectal temperature (over 38.5°C), elevated packed cell volume (mean increase of 4%), and blood lactate levels (mean increase of 5 mmol/l) were recognized as significant markers for prognosis.
- Among the tested parameters, blood lactate levels, gut noises, and heart rate demonstrated the highest predictive significance based on the statistical analysis.
Conclusions and Implications
- The findings underscored physiological and biochemical parameters’ critical role in early recognition and assessment of colic cases.
- Further research is recommended to explore the prognostic potential of additional parameters and how different treatment methods impact colic prognosis.
- The insights derived from this study might help improve equine healthcare standards and reduce mortality rates associated with colic.
Significance
- This study provides a valuable foundation for understanding the prognostic implications of physiological and biochemical parameters in either managing or predicting the prognosis of horses afflicted with colic.
- The results have potential research implications in improving diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for effectively managing colic in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Mickevičienė I, Mikalauskienė D, Miknienė Z.
(2024).
The prognostic importance of physiological and biochemical parameters in horses afflicted with colic.
Open Vet J, 14(8), 1801-1807.
https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i8.8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS), Veterinary Academy (VA), Large Animal Clinic, Kaunas, Lithuania.
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS), Veterinary Academy (VA), Large Animal Clinic, Kaunas, Lithuania.
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS), Veterinary Academy (VA), Large Animal Clinic, Kaunas, Lithuania.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Colic / veterinary
- Colic / blood
- Colic / mortality
- Colic / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Prognosis
- Male
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Respiratory Rate / physiology
- Lactic Acid / blood
- Body Temperature / physiology
- Gastrointestinal Motility / physiology
- Biomarkers / blood
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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