Clinico-Haemato-Biochemical Alterations in Impactive Colic in Horses

Abstract

A total of sixteen cases of equine impactive colic were admitted to VCC, Hisar and were subjected to complete anamnesis, clinical examination and haemato-biochemical estimation. All the affected animals were exhibiting colicky signs along with lack of defaecation and had decreased or absent gastrointestinal borborygmi. Per-rectal examination revealed pelvic flexure as the most common site of impaction. Mostly females in the age group of 6 to 12 years were susceptible. There was increase in temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, capillary refill time, haemoglobin, erythrocyte count and packed cell volume due to dehydration and pain. Leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia were observed in most of the affected animals. The serum biochemical parameters exhibited a remarkable increase in LDH, ALT, AST, ALP, total proteins, total bilirubin, glucose, BUN and creatinine indicating compromised liver and kidneys. The value of GGT which is a specific indicator of hepatic disorder was also seen very high in impactive colic cases in our study. Most of the haemato-biochemical parameters were restored within normal range after treatment.