Lactate and colic–Shetland ponies as an example of one size does not fit all

Summary The clinical commentary discusses the utility of peritoneal lactate alone, and in the context of other clinical factors, in determining the presence of a strangulating intestinal obstruction. A current study on Shetland ponies has revealed that peritoneal lactate well outside the range typically to be considered at risk of strangulating obstruction actually had simple obstruction, and therefore suggests caution in interpretation of lactate values when making clinical decisions on equine patients with colic.