Reliability of using results of abdominal fluid analysis to determine treatment and predict lesion type and outcome for horses with colic: 218 cases (1991-1994)
Freden, G.O.; Provost, P.J.; Rand, W.M.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 213(7): 1012-1015
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 9777000 Document Number: 489728
Medical records of 218 horses with colic were reviewed to determine clinical value of abdominal fluid analysis in predicting outcome, lesion type, and need for medical or surgical treatment. Most variables evaluated had low sensitivity, specificity and predictive value for determining lesion type, treatment type and outcome. Abdominal fluid colour and specific gravity had a high predictive value for lesion type, and patient age and abdominal fluid colour had a high predictive value for outcome. All variables evaluated, except nucleated cell count, were significantly different between horses with non-strangulating lesions and horses with strangulating lesions. It is suggested that results of abdominal fluid analysis cannot be used alone to accurately predict lesion type, need for medical or surgical treatment or outcome for horses with colic.