Plasma D-dimer Concentration in Horses with Colic

The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of the plasma D-dimer in healthy horses and in horses with colic and to compare it before and after therapy. Thirty-two horses were included; 22 horses showed signs of abdominal pain. Horses were grouped according to clinical and laboratory examination results into healthy horses (Group I, n=10); horses with colic associated with enteritis and/or colitis (Group II, n=16) were presented with moderate intermittent abdominal pain with increased peristalsis and increased frequency of defecation; horses with colic associated with impaction of the intestine (Group III, n=6) were presented with severe abdominal pain and decreased fecal output. There was significant increase in the concentration of plasma D-dimer in horses with impaction of the intestine and horses with enteritis and/or colitis compared to clinically healthy horses. Therapeutic trials resulted in improvement of the D-dimer concentration where the concentration of plasma D-dimer was significantly decreased in horses with enteritis and/or colitis and in horses with impaction of the intestine after therapy compared to its concentration before therapy. In conclusion, D-dimer is a sensitive marker for detection of excessive fibrinolysis in horses. Higher concentration of plasma D-dimer is observed in severe cases of colic and might reflect poor prognosis.