REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Increased serum nonesterified @entity1718 ( @entity3691 ) and decreased serum electrolytes are linked to abdomasal displacements in post partum dairy @entity291 . Post partum colic in mares may be associated with metabolic changes specific to pregnancy and the periparturient period. OBJECTIVES: To determine if fluctuations in serum @entity3691 , ionised @entity460 (iCa) and @entity1760 (iMg) occurred in periparturient mares and if these alterations were associated with post partum colic. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. METHODS: Mares from 3 farms in central Kentucky were enrolled. Blood samples were collected 14 days prior to the estimated foaling date, within 4 days post parturition, and 14 and 28 days after foaling for batch analysis of serum @entity3691 , iCa and iMg. Health information was provided by farm managers and veterinarians. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis   (2) statistic for nonparametric data and a matched case/control approach. Repeated measures logistic regression models were developed. RESULTS: Serum NEFAs were higher at 14-1 day before foaling (mean    s.d., mmol/l), 0.28    0.12, P = 0.04 and from foaling to 4 days after foaling, 0.29    0.20 (P = 0.05) in mares that developed colic compared with those that did not colic, 0.19    0.05 and 0.21    0.14, respectively. Ionised @entity460 was lower at 15-28 days post foaling in mares that showed colic, 1.50    0.17 compared to mares that did not colic, 1.60    0.12, P = 0.02. Risk of colic in post partum mares increased 38% for each 0.1 mmol/l increase in serum @entity3691 (odds ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.81, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Mares with post partum colic had significantly higher serum @entity3691 and lower iCa prior to the colic episode compared with mares that did not develop colic. Monitoring these metabolic alterations may lead to predictive and preventive colic strategies for post partum mares.

Increased serum nonesterified fatty acid and low ionised XXXX concentrations are associated with post partum colic in mares.

@entity460 :: ('MESH:D002118', 'Chemical') :: ['calcium'] @entity3691 :: ('MESH:D005230', 'Chemical') :: ['NEFA'] @entity1718 :: ('MESH:D005227', 'Chemical') :: ['fatty acids'] @entity291 :: ('9913', 'Species') :: ['cattle'] @entity1760 :: ('MESH:D008274', 'Chemical') :: ['magnesium']
@entity460 :: (MESH:D002118,Chemical) :: ['calcium']
