Obesity and pony breed are associated with plasma L-lactate in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease

A. L. TILLISCH, C. FRØRUP, M. B. PETERSEN, S. JACOBSEN and T. H. PIHL

Clinical relevance
• Plasma lactate concentrations may be higher in ponies with gastrointestinal disease compared to lean horses with the same severity of illness.
• Breed and body condition should always be considered when interpreting plasma lactate concentration, especially before making decisions regarding surgery or euthanasia.
• Ponies showed a higher prevalence of severe gastrointestinal conditions, such as strangulating intestinal lesions and enterocolitis, compared to horses.