Effects of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate on hematological values in normalhorses

In several horses referred for evaluation of colic, we observed marked leuk openia (attributable to neutrophil counts <2,000/mu l) which was inconsiste nt with the mild nature of abdominal pain, absence of fever, or lack of sig ns of endotoxemia, In all cases, large bowel impaction had been diagnosed v ia rectal palpation prior to admission and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (D SS) had been one of the medications administered. To investigate the hypoth esis that DSS administration may lead to bowel irritation, margination of n eutrophils, and development of leukopenia (neutropenia), the effects of DSS administration (20 mg/kg via a nasogastric tube) on clinical and hematolog ic values were studied in eight clinically normal horses. No changes were d etected in any of the clinical values assessed in these horses and neither leukopenia nor neutropenia was observed following DSS administration. A tre nd for plasma total protein concentration to increase four hours after DSS administration (in comparison to control data) suggested that DSS may enhan ce secretion of fluid into the bowel in treated horses. In conclusion, the results did not support the hypothesis that the leukopenia observed in hors es with colic could be attributed to DSS administration. Whether DSS has mo re significant effects in horses with altered bowel motility and mucosal in tegrity during colic episodes is not known.