Exudate

• High cells and high protein
• Turbid - red, yellow, white
• Specific gravity > 1.018
• Total protein > 30g/L
• Nucleated cells >3 x 10e9/L
• Neutrophils non-degenerate or degenerate, macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils (with parasites)

• Due to:
  • Inflammation of the pleural/abdominal cavities or their lining
    • Septic
      • Degenerate neutrophils
      • Intracellular bacteria
      • In horses
        • Yellow, brown turbid
        • Look for plant material - rupture or perforation of gut wall
        • Horses with gut rupture will quickly develop cardiovascular collapse
    • Non-septic
      • Non-derenerate neutrophils
      • No bacteria
      • In horses
        • Amber, slightly turbid fluid
        • Neutrophils > macrophages
      • e.g.FIP
  • Long standing modified transudate becomes exudate
  • Neoplasia (cell numbers really high)