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Colic Diagnosis - Clinicopathologic Evaluation (view source)
Revision as of 10:33, 22 July 2010
, 10:33, 22 July 2010no edit summary
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Laboratory tests can be performed to assess the cardiovascular and metabolic status of the patient.
Laboratory tests can be performed to assess the cardiovascular and metabolic status of the patient.
* Packed Cell Volume (PCV)
* Packed Cell Volume (PCV)
=====Packed Cell Volume and Total Plasma Protein=====
=====Packed Cell Volume and Total Plasma Protein=====
Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Total Plasma Protein (TPP) are a measure of hydration status in the horse with abdominal pain. Intestinal disease and dysfunction causes hypovolaemia which result in dehydration. Increasing values over repeated examination and values over 45% are considered significant. The total protein (TP) of blood may also be measured, as an aid in estimating the amount of protein loss into the intestine. Its value must be interpreted along with the PCV, to take into account the hydration status. The PCV and TPP rise together in dehydration.
Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Total Plasma Protein (TPP) are a measure of hydration status in the horse with abdominal pain. Intestinal disease and dysfunction causes hypovolaemia which result in dehydration. Increasing values over repeated examination and values over 45% are considered significant. The total protein (TP) of blood may also be measured, as an aid in estimating the amount of protein loss into the intestine. Its value must be interpreted along with the PCV, to take into account the hydration status. The PCV and TPP rise together in dehydration.
{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"
|+ Interpreting the level of dehydration from the PCV and TPP
!
! PCV (%)
! TPP (g/dl)
|-
| Mild dehydration
| 45 - 50
| 7.5 - 8.0
|-
| Moderate dehydration
| 50 - 60
| 8.0 - 9.0
|-
| Severe dehydration
| 60
| 9.0
|}
An increasing PCV without a corresponding rise in TPP may indicate that protein is being lost from the blood into the intestinal lumen or peritoneal region. It may also be due to the spleen contracting and releasing more red blood cells into the circulation in response to endotoxin release or sympathetic nervous system innervation.
An increasing PCV without a corresponding rise in TPP may indicate that protein is being lost from the blood into the intestinal lumen or peritoneal region. It may also be due to the spleen contracting and releasing more red blood cells into the circulation in response to endotoxin release or sympathetic nervous system innervation.
[[File:PCV Reading.jpg|thumb|200px|center| Picture of a centrifuged Haematocrit tube being interpreted for a PCV value. The refractometer lies above to get a TPP value(Courtesy of Potter K, SPANA)]]
[[File:PCV Reading.jpg|thumb|300px|center| Picture of a centrifuged Haematocrit tube being interpreted for a PCV value. The refractometer lies above to get a TPP value(Courtesy of Potter K, SPANA)]]
=====Complete Blood Count=====
=====Complete Blood Count=====
Muscle damage in horses with severe pain and self-inflicted damage will produce elevations in AST, LDH and creatine phosphokinase.
Muscle damage in horses with severe pain and self-inflicted damage will produce elevations in AST, LDH and creatine phosphokinase.
[[Category:Colic_Diagnosis_in_the_Horse]]
===References===
* Edwards B. (2009), Diagnosis and Pathophysiology of Intestinal Obstruction, in Equine Gastroenterology courtesy of the University of Liverpool, pp 9
* Meuller E, Moore J. N, (2008) Classification and Pathophysiology of Colic, Gastrointestinal Emergencies and Other Causes of Colic, in Equine Emergencies- Treatments and Procedures, 3rd Edition, Eds Orsini J. A, Divers T.J, Saunders Elsevier, pp 110 -111
* Rose R.J, Hodgson D.R (2000) Examination of the Alimentary Tract, Alimentary Tract, Manual of Equine Practice, 2nd Edition, Saunders Elsevier, pp 288 -289
[[Category:Colic_Diagnosis_in_the_Horse|I]]