Haematology and blood biochemistry in the horse: a guide to interpretation

Abstract

THE use of laboratory tests as an aid to the diagnosis of clinical problems has become commonplace in equine practice, and should be considered an integral part of the total management of a case. The indications for blood sampling are many and varied, but it is important to realise the limitations of laboratory results - there is no substitute for a thorough clinical examination. Clinicians should therefore guard against relying too heavily on test results for a diagnosis and, rather, clinical pathology should be used as an ancillary aid. This article reviews the interpretation of basic haematological and blood biochemical tests which are available to the equine practitioner.

Blood biochemical parameters of Brazilian sport horses under training in tropical climate

“…This difference can be explained by the homogeneity in management of the horses used in this study, which have the same diet, housing, and training protocol. Blood values are affected by different factors such as individual variations, breed, and level of training (Barrelet and Ricketts, 2002). It is important to note the differences in normal values found in this study as compared with other reports (Hodgson et al, 2014;Souza et al 2016).…”

Reference intervals for selected hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses

“…Given that neutrophils and lymphocytes are main and the most numerous leukocyte subpopulations, the data obtained from this equipment are accurate and sufficient for clinical application of differential count. However, it is always recommended to perform manual count that allows evaluation of the morphology of blood cells and their precise identification (Barrelet and Ricketts 2002).…”

“…Ideally, it is recommended to establish a set of normal values for each individual. In this way early and subtle change may be detected (Barrelet and Ricketts 2002, Meyer 2004, Kedzierski and Pluta 2013. It is useful and practiced in case of performance horses but not in Hucul stables where veterinary examination is much less frequent.…”

Hematologic and biochemical abnormalities in athletic horses

“…4,6,13,50,51 Routine sampling sessions in performance-horse stables are therefore often conducted at standard times after a period of rest and quiet, e.g. Reflex splenic contraction occurs in horses in response to fright, excitement, and exercise, increasing numbers of young macrocytic erythrocytes in the circulating pool.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In addition, the successful race-horse trainer, in association with the attending veterinary surgeon, integrates clinical pathology assessments of individual horses and group trends into the stable's management team strategy. Therefore, veterinary surgeons attending performance-horse stables spend a great deal of their time diagnosing clinical and subclinical injury and disease, selecting and applying appropriate treatments, and assessing return to normality.…”