PLASMA-FIBRINOGEN IN RECOGNIZING EQUINE INFLAMMATORY DISEASE

The concentration of fibrinogen (a positive acute-phase protein produc ed by the liver in response to inflammation) can be determined rapidly and inexpensively by the heat precipitation method and is often monit ored in conjunction with complete blood count to detect inflammatory d isease in a horse. Plasma protein/fibrinogen ratios should be calcualt ed when interpreting fibrinogen values to avoid overinterpretation or underinterpretation in cases of dehydration of severe protein loss, re spectively. In horses with inflammatory leukograms, 71.2% did not have fibrinogen changes suggesting inflammation; however, 7.7% more cases of inflammation were recognized using plasma protein/fibrinogen ratios when a normal or stress leukogram was present. Fibrinogen determinati on and calculated plasma protein/fibrinogen ratios are valid adjuncts to a routine hemogram in horses.