Thromboelastography in obese horses with insulin dysregulation compared to healthy controls

BACKGROUND: Both obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with hypercoagulability in people, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and thromboembolic events. Whether hypercoagulability exists in obese, insulin‐dysregulated horses is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine if coagulation profiles differ between healthy horses and those with obesity and insulin dysregulation. ANIMALS: Fifteen healthy horses (CON) and 15 obese, insulin‐dysregulated horses (OBID). Individuals were university or client owned. METHODS: Case‐control study. Obesity was defined as a body condition score (BCS) ≥7.5/9 (modified Henneke scale). Insulin dysregulation status was assessed by an oral sugar test (OST). Kaolin‐thromboelastography and traditional coagulation variables were compared between groups. The direction and strength of the association between coagulation variables and BCS and OST results were determined using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: Thromboelastography variables MA (OBID: 69.5 ± 4.5 mm; CON: 64.8 ± 4.3 mm; P = .007) and G‐value (OBID: 11749 ± 2536 dyn/m(2); CON: 9319 ± 1650 dyn/m(2); P = .004) were higher in OBID compared to CON. Positive correlations between MA and BCS (R = 0.45, P = .01) and serum insulin (T (0): R = 0.45, P = .01; T (60): R = 0.39, P = .03), and G‐value and BCS (R = 0.46, P = .01), and serum insulin (T (0): R = 0.48, P = .007; T (60): R = 0.43, P = .02; T (90): R = 0.38, P = .04) were present. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Obese, insulin‐dysregulated horses are hypercoagulable compared to healthy controls.