MONITORING OF INTERSTITIAL GLUCOSE IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD OF ENTEROTOMY IN HORSES WITH ACUTE ABDOMEN SYNDROME

Abstract

The study evaluated the continuous monitoring of blood glucose in horses submitted to enterotomy in the postoperative period of acute abdomen syndrome, using the FreeStyle Libre sensor. Two Quarter Horse animals were analyzed: an adult and a foal. During the observation period, the adult horse had hyperglycemia, while the foal had persistent hypoglycemia. Hyperglycemia in adults was related to the severity of the clinical picture, as described in the literature, and was associated with complications such as sepsis and endotoxemia. Hypoglycemia in the foal, on the other hand, reflected energy dysregulation, commonly observed in critically ill foals. Continuous glucose monitoring has proven to be an effective tool for detecting these metabolic variations, providing real-time information that has allowed for precise adjustments in treatment, as well as reducing the discomfort caused by frequent blood draws. The reference range for blood glucose in horses varies between 83 and 114 mg/dL, and both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia outside this range were identified during monitoring, proving the relevance of the technology in clinical follow-up. These data corroborate other studies that associate glycemic imbalances with the severity of critical diseases in horses, especially in postoperative situations. Thus, the continuous use of glycemic monitoring not only facilitates treatment management, but also improves survival in critically ill horses.