Pseudohyperkalemia in horses with rhabdomyolysis reported by an enzymatic chemistry analyzer.

Objective: To investigate pseudohyperkalemia occurring in horses experiencing rhabdomyolysis when serum chemistry profiles are run on an VetScan VS2 analyzer (Abaxis).

Animals: 18 horses with rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase [CK] > 1,000 U/L).

Methods: In 3 horses with serum CK activities > 5,800 U/L and persistent serum potassium concentrations of > 8.

Current Topics in Medical Colic.

The list of medical causes of acute or chronic colic in horses is extensive. The purpose of this article is to review 4 medical causes of equine colic with a focus on newer trends in treatment. The 4 topics selected include gastric impaction, gastric glandular disease, colon displacement, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinical Pathology in the Foal.

The dynamic physiologic changes and unique diet during the neonatal period contribute to key differences in clinicopathologic test results of healthy foals relative to healthy adult horses. When reporting results, most diagnostic laboratories only provide reference intervals for mature horses. Thus, failure to recognize the unique differences that occur in foals relative to adult horses can lead to erroneous interpretation of neonatal clinical pathologic values.

Understanding abdominal ultrasonography in horses: which way is up?

The recent introduction of more affordable and portable ultrasound equipment makes it possible to perform transabdominal ultrasonography on equine patients in the field. Clipping the hair is not always necessary: intraabdominal structures can be quickly evaluated by soaking hair with isopropyl alcohol and using a 3.0- to 3.

Serum bile acids concentrations in healthy and clinically ill neonatal foals.

Background: Reference ranges for serum bile acids (SBA) concentration are well established in healthy adult horses. Increased values are indicative of hepatic disease.

Hypotheses: SBA concentrations are significantly greater in the neonatal period compared with mature horses, and illness in the neonatal period will further increase SBA.

Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy neonatal foals.

Background: Cosyntropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]) stimulation tests are used to evaluate adrenal function. Low-dose ACTH stimulation tests are the most accurate method for diagnosing relative adrenal insufficiency in critically ill humans but have not been evaluated in foals.

Hypothesis: Peak serum cortisol concentrations in healthy foals will not be significantly different after intravenous administration of 1, 10, 100, and 250 microg of cosyntropin.

Serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G concentrations in healthy or ill neonatal foals and healthy adult horses.

Background: Lactoferrin is a colostral glycoprotein with antimicrobial properties.

Hypotheses: (1) Serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations are correlated and increase in healthy foals after ingestion of colostrum; (2) compared to healthy foals, ill foals will have lower lactoferrin concentrations that correlate with their IgG concentration, neutrophil count, the diagnosis of sepsis, and survival; and (3) plasma concentrations of lactoferrin will be less than serum concentrations.

Animals: Healthy foals (n = 16), mature horses (n = 10), and ill foals 1-4 days old (n = 111) that were examined for suspected sepsis were used for blood collection.

Hypercalcemia and high serum parathyroid hormone-related protein concentration in a horse with multiple myeloma.

A 13-year-old gelding was examined because of weight loss, hyperglobulinemia, and hypercalcemia. Possible causes of hypercalcemia that were considered included renal failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicosis, and malignancy. There was no history of vitamin D ingestion, and serum creatinine and parathyroid hormone concentrations were normal, making renal failure and primary hyperparathyroidism unlikely.

Treatment of endotoxemia.

Although recognition of clinical signs of endotoxemia is not difficult, determining the underlying cause for the development of endotoxemia may be a challenging task. For this reason, importance must be placed on performance of a thorough physical examination, attention to detail, and determination of whether or not surgical intervention is required. In most instances, a definitive diagnosis may require repeated examinations and laboratory work.