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=====Serum/Plasma Electrolyte levels=====
=====Serum/Plasma Electrolyte levels=====
This is the least useful of the hematological tests for establishing a diagnosis in the colic patient, however its importance lies in the management of patients before, during and after surgery.
Blood lactate levels are useful in determining severity of disease, and as a prognostic indicator; levels between 1-2mmol/L are considered normal, while levels above 5.7mmol/L are considered significant. "Colic scores" that combine several parameters can be relatively accurate prognostic indicators, although most laboratory tests have limited use in terms of specific diagnosis.
Hypocalcaemia can cause ileus and abdominal pain. Patients with colitis may have a hyponatremia and hypochloremia. Gastric dilatation results in the sequestration of fluid and hydrochloric acid in the stomach, leading to dehydration, hypochloremia and alkalosis. The same principle applies to large colon obstructions where fluid is trapped in the intestinal lumen causing dehydration and hypochloemia.
Blood and peritoneal lactate levels are useful in determining severity of disease and as a prognostic indicator. Blood levels between 1-2mmol/L are considered normal, while levels above 5.7mmol/L suggest hypoperfusion secondary to dehydration and/or a local ischaemia or strangulating obstruction. Elevated lactate concentrations in the peritoneal fluid are more suggestive of a strangulation.
Horses with dehydration and endotoxaemia may develop a pre-renal azotaemia (increased urea and creatinine).
Increased serum GGT concentrations indicate liver disease. Increased serum bile acids indicate cholestasis. Increased bilirubin levels can be due to anorexia, hemolysis or a hepatopathy.
Muscle damage in horses with severe pain and self-inflicted damage will produce elevations in AST, LDH and creatine phosphokinase.
===Abdominocentesis===
===Abdominocentesis===