Normal reference intervals and the effects of sample handling on dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry (Sonoclot) in healthy adult horses

Objective

To determine reference intervals and the effect of sample agitation and rest time on Sonoclot analysis in healthy adult horses.

Design

Original prospective study.

Setting

University veterinary medical teaching hospital.

Animals

Sixty healthy adult horses.

Interventions

Blood was collected for assessment of complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, and Sonoclot analysis.

Measurements and Main Results

Horses were determined to be healthy based upon physical examination, CBC, and serum biochemistry analysis. Blood was analyzed in a glass bead‐containing cuvette using the Sienco Sonoclot analyzer following 2 rest periods (30 mins and 240 min) and with 2 sample handling interventions (agitated and nonagitated), to obtain values for clot rate, time‐to‐peak, activated clotting time, and platelet function. This study failed to detect a significant difference when a rest time of 30 minutes was compared with 240 minutes, but based on wide limits of agreement the 2 rest times were not considered interchangeable. Agitation at both rest times significantly affected all Sonoclot analyses leading to changes indicative of hypercoagulability.

Conclusions

Sample agitation and rest time should be taken into consideration when developing preanalytical guidelines for Sonoclot analysis in horses. Calculated reference intervals were relatively wide. Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical utility of Sonoclot analysis in horses.     

Review of kinematic analysis in dogs

Objective gait analysis techniques aid investigators in the study of motion. Kinematic gait analysis techniques that objectively quantitate motion are valuable tools used to understand normal and abnormal motion in domestic animals. Recent advances in video technology have made the study of motion more readily accessible. Available systems can document gait in two or three dimensions (2D or 3D, respectively). Knowledge of fundamental gait analysis concepts is critical to generating meaningful data. The objective of this report is to review principles of kinematic data collection and analyses, with a focus on differences between 2D and 3D systems.