Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gamma glutamyl transferase levels in horses with colon displacement
By Gardner, Rachel B et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2005·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity in horses with right or left dorsal displacements of the large colon.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of horses with right dorsal displacement of the large colon (RDDLC) were found to have higher levels of a liver enzyme called gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) compared to those with left dorsal displacement (LDDLC). Out of 37 horses with RDDLC, nearly half had elevated GGT levels, while only one of the 48 horses with LDDLC showed similar results. Most horses with RDDLC recovered well after surgery, with a good prognosis and no return visits for liver issues. The elevated GGT levels were linked to compression of the bile duct caused by the abnormal positioning of the colon.
People also search for: horse colon displacement symptoms · elevated GGT in horses · horse surgery recovery RDDLC
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that horses with right dorsal displacement of the large colon (RDDLC) have elevations in serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity when compared with horses with left dorsal displacement of the large colon (LDDLC). Medical records from 37 horses with RDDLC and 48 horses with LDDLC were reviewed. Horses were included for study if the RDDLC or LDDLC was confirmed by exploratory laparotomy or postmortem examination and if a serum GGT measurement was obtained within 24 hours before surgery. The proportion of horses with GGT activity within or above the reference range was determined. Of 37 horses, 18 (49%; exact binomial 95% confidence interval, 32-66%) with RDDLC and, of 48 horses, 1 (2%; 95% CI, 0-11%) with LDDLC had GGT above the reference range. Horses with RDDLC had higher serum GGT than did horses with LDDLC. Of 37 horses, 36 (97%) with RDDLC were discharged with a good prognosis and none returned as a result of hepatic disease. Evaluation of surgical and postmortem examinations revealed that positioning of the colon in horses with RDDLC results in compression of the bile duct, which can cause extrahepatic bile duct obstruction and a subsequent elevation in serum GGT activity.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16231724/