Prognostic factors assessed by blood analysis at the time of patient admission for horse colic

Colic in horses is an emergency frequently encountered by clinicians. Prompt and precise evaluation of each case is mandatory to determine the need for surgery. Prognosis evaluation is also a crucial part of the decision-making process regarding management options. The present study evaluates the relevance of routinely used haematology and biochemistry blood parameters at the time of patient admission as tools to determine the aetiology type and prognosis of colic cases. Clinical exams and blood analysis were drawn from 46 horses admitted with signs of acute abdominal pain. Horses were further divided into groups according to type of colic and survival. Heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Serum albumin and lactate were also reliable prognostic factors. Similarly, heart rate, serum albumin and gamma-glutamyl transferase concentrations differed significantly between strangulating and non-strangulating colic types. Clinical exams and blood parameters can efficiently guide clinicians during the evaluation of horses with signs of abdominal pain.