Clinical, hemato-biochemical studies of equine laminitis in horses in Mosul
Authors: K. Alsaad, A. Abdul-Hameed
Journal: Iraqi journal of Veterinary Sciences
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Clinical and Haematobiochemical Findings in Equine Laminitis Multiple aetiological factors precipitate laminitis in horses, ranging from dietary indiscretion (excessive carbohydrate and lush forage intake) to systemic disease (enteritis, pneumonia, babesiosis) and iatrogenic causes including corticosteroid administration and poor farriery—understanding this multifactorial nature is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies. Researchers in Mosul evaluated 100 horses with acute or chronic laminitis alongside 25 clinically normal controls, documenting clinical signs, lameness grading using the Obel scale, and comprehensive haematological and biochemical parameters. Acute laminitis cases demonstrated significantly elevated body temperature, respiratory and heart rates, with lameness severity distributed as follows: 12% Obel grade 1, 61% grade 2, 21% grade 3, and 6% grade 4; concurrently, packed cell volume and total leucocyte count increased substantially, with neutrophilia and lymphopenia present. Coagulation was notably affected in acute cases—platelet count decreased whilst platelet size and distribution increased, alongside prolonged clotting time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastine time—findings suggesting systemic inflammatory and prothrombotic consequences. Acute laminitis also elevated matrix metalloproteinase-2 and haptoglobin, whilst fibrinogen rose significantly in both acute and chronic presentations, providing clinicians with useful biochemical markers to support diagnosis and differentiate disease severity.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Identify and eliminate modifiable risk factors—particularly excessive grain/lush pasture feeding, unnecessary corticosteroid use, and poor farriery—as these are common preventable causes of laminitis in working horses
- •Use Obel grading and clinical signs (digital pulse, hoof heat, lameness pattern) to assess severity; monitor vital signs and hoof condition closely as acute cases show marked systemic inflammation
- •Recognize that coagulation abnormalities occur in acute laminitis; combined with elevated inflammatory markers (haptoglobin, MMP-2), these suggest significant endothelial and systemic compromise requiring aggressive supportive care
Key Findings
- •Multiple etiological factors identified in laminitis cases including excessive carbohydrate intake, post-parturient metritis, corticosteroid use, and poor farriery practices
- •Obel grading revealed 61% of laminitic horses classified as grade 2 lameness, with statistically significant increases in body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate in acute cases
- •Acute laminitis associated with significant increases in PCV, TLC, neutrophilia, and lymphopenia; chronic laminitis resulted in hoof wall deformities and fissures
- •Coagulation abnormalities in acute laminitis included decreased platelet count with increased size, prolonged clotting time, PT, and aPTT; elevated Matrix metalloproteinase-2, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen