EFFECTS OF ENTEROCENTESIS ON PERITONEAL-FLUID CONSTITUENTS IN THE HORSE

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 186  (12) , 1301-1303
Abstract
Peritoneal fluid analysis is helpful in the diagnosis of acute and chronic intestinal disease, abdominal abscesses and neoplasia in the horse. Peritoneal fluid was collected from 15 clinically normal horses and was analyzed for nucleated cell (NC) counts and specific gravity. Six horses (controls, group 1) were subjected to abdominocentesis only, with a teat cannula, every 24 h for 5 days. There were no marked changes in the peritoneal fluid of these horses over the 5 days. Peritoneal fluid was collected from 6 other horses (group 2) with an 8.89 cm 18-gauge needle. The needle was advanced until intestinal fluid was obtained. Peritoneal fluid was collected with teat cannulas at 24 h intervals for an additional 4 days. Peritoneal fluic NC counts from group 2 horses were significantly increased (P < 0.05) at peak values 2 days after enterocentesis. Specific gravities of peritoneal fluid from group 2 horses were increased on days 1 and 2 after enterocentesis (P > 0.05). Peritoneal fluid from 3 other horses (group 3) was collected before enterocentesis (base line) and again at 4 h intervals after enterocentesis. Peritoneal fluid NC counts of group 3 horses were markedly increased above base-line values 4 h after enterocentesis and continued to increase for up to 12 h after enterocentesis when the experiment was terminated. All horses that underwent enterocentesis remained clinically normal except 1 group 3 horse that had a fever (39.6.degree. C) 24 h after enterocentesis.

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