Peritoneal fluid analysis in equine post‐partum emergencies admitted to a referral hospital: a retrospective study of 110 cases

Offer, K. S., Russell, C. M., Carrick, J. B., Wallington, C. E., Cudmore, L. A., Cuming, R. S. and Collins, N. M. (2022) Peritoneal fluid analysis in equine post‐partum emergencies admitted to a referral hospital: a retrospective study of 110 cases. Equine Veterinary Journal, 54(6), pp. 1023-1030. (doi: 10.1111/evj.13557) (PMID:35007344)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Background: Peritoneal fluid analysis has both diagnostic and prognostic value in colic but is little reported in the post-partum mare. Multiple conditions may present similarly in this period, and peritoneal fluid findings may aid a prompt diagnosis. Objectives: To describe the peritoneal fluid findings and their association with diagnosis in mares presenting to a single referral hospital for treatment of post-partum emergencies. Study design: A retrospective clinical study. Methods: Clinical records of 110 Thoroughbred mares were reviewed. Details of peritoneal fluid analysis from samples obtained at admission were recorded, in addition to history, physical examination, presenting clinicopathological data. Cases were classified by their primary diagnosis into groups of gastrointestinal tract (GIT), urogenital trauma (UGT) and post parturient haemorrhage (PPH). Univariable analysis was performed to compare findings between groups, using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey/Kruskal-Wallis, as appropriate. A multinomial logistic regression was performed for variables significant in the univariable analysis. Results: When separated into their diagnostic categories, 33/110 (30%) mares were classified as GIT, 55/110 (50%) UGT and 22/110 (20%) PPH. Peritoneal fluid packed cell volume (PCV), nucleated cell count (WBCC) and cytological findings were significantly different between diagnostic categories. The likelihood of diagnosis of PPH increased with an increase in peritoneal fluid PCV, the absence of degenerate neutrophils on peritoneal fluid cytology and a decrease in the peritoneal fluid WBCC. Overall survival to discharge was 55%. Main limitations: The study is referral hospital-based and retrospective in nature. Missing data reduced the power of analysis for several variables. Conclusions: Peritoneal fluid analysis may guide diagnosis in post-partum emergencies, but no one factor is uniformly diagnostic. Mares with PPH presented with a non-septic peritonitis with higher peritoneal PCV.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Offer, Katie
Authors: Offer, K. S., Russell, C. M., Carrick, J. B., Wallington, C. E., Cudmore, L. A., Cuming, R. S., and Collins, N. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Equine Veterinary Journal
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0425-1644
ISSN (Online):2042-3306
Published Online:10 January 2022

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record