Determination of plasma fibrinogen concentration in the horse
Campbell, M.D.; Bellamy, J.E.; Searcy, G.P.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 42(1): 100-104
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 7224302 Document Number: 175373
The microhematocrit heat-precipitation methods of Millar et al. (1971) and Schalm et al. (1975) were compared with the reference clottable protein method of Ratnoff and Menzie (1951) in the measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentration in horses. The Millar et al. method was more precise and accurate and showed better positive correlation with the reference method than did the Schalm et al. method. There was no significant difference in the plasma fibrinogen concentration between healthy thoroughbreds and healthy horses of other breeds. Horses with bacterial pneumonia and abscesses had significantly greater plasma fibrinogen values than those with colic, fractures and nonsuppurative wounds. The Millar et al. method was recommended as a simple, relatively accurate procedure for the determination of plasma fibrinogen, which might be used as an additional diagnostic and prognostic indicator in the laboratory investigation of diseases in the horse.