Inflammatory markers in equine colic

Colic in horses is a medical emergency with multiple etiologies. In addition to a complete clinical examination, paraclinical testing is necessary. Its role is to guide diagnosis, therapeutic management, and to provide an objective prognosis. Paraclinical evaluation includes hematological and biochemical analyses from both blood and peritoneal fluid. The determination of inflammatory markers plays a crucial role in diagnosing, monitoring disease progression, and establishing the prognosis of the condition.C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), fibrinogen, haptoglobin, and D-dimer are essential biomarkers for assessing inflammation associated with colic syndrome and evaluating the degree of tissue damage.Inflammatory markers respond differently to pathological processes associated with colic. CRP and SAA are rapidly induced by proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), fibrinogen is synthesized in chronic inflammation, haptoglobin increases in inflammatory conditions associated with hemolysis, and D-dimer serves as an indicator of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The interpretation of these markers in a clinical context provides an objective prognosis and helps guide the treatment management of colic-affected horses.