Abstract
Background: Pancreatitis is a poorly understood condition in the
horse. The DGGR lipase assay has recently been validated for horses.
Objectives: Evaluate serum DGGR lipase concentrations in equids
presented to an equine hospital in the UK with gastrointestinal disease.
Study design: Prospective descriptive.
Methods: Blood samples were obtained by convenience sampling of horses
and donkeys presented for evaluation of gastrointestinal disease.
Results: Serum pancreatic (DGGR) lipase concentrations were measured
in 205 equids with gastrointestinal disease, of which 147 survived, 47
were euthanised and 11 died. The median serum pancreatic lipase
concentration in all animals was 17 U/l (IQR 14 – 27; range 1 – 3484).
The lipase concentration was categorised as normal in 124 animals
(60.5%) and elevated in 81 (39.5%). There was a statistically
significant difference in the disease category and pancreatic lipase
concentration (p < 0.001), with colic cases having higher
lipase concentrations than colitis and peritonitis cases. There was
strong evidence (p=0.01) of an association between pain severity and
lipase values, with higher lipase concentrations in horses with more
severe pain. Of 12 horses with severely increased pancreatic lipase
concentration (>200 u/L) 3/12 had spontaneous nasogastric
reflux and 6/10 had distended and/or thickened small intestine on
abdominal ultrasonography; 7/12 survived to hospital discharge, and 5/12
died or were euthanised.
Main Limitations: We were unable to confirm the presence of
pancreatitis in any of the horses with elevated serum DGGR lipase
concentrations by post-mortem examination or histopathology.
Conclusions: Some equids with gastrointestinal disease have increased
serum pancreatic (DGGR) lipase concentrations, especially those with
colic. This suggests that a degree of pancreatitis may be present in
many colic cases, although this does not necessarily indicate causation.
Keywords: Pancreas, pancreatitis, lipase, colic, horse