Hematology in horses involves the study of blood, its components, and related disorders in equine species. This field encompasses the analysis of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels to assess the health status of horses. Hematological parameters are used to evaluate various physiological and pathological conditions, including anemia, infections, and immune-mediated diseases. Techniques such as complete blood counts (CBC) and blood smear evaluations are commonly employed to gather insights into the equine circulatory system. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, findings, and clinical implications of hematological assessments in equine medicine.
Michishita M, Shibata R, Machida Y, Matsumoto M, Ochiai K, Azakami D.A 20-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was referred with clinical signs of anorexia, weight loss, intermittent fever, cough, subcutaneous oedema and exercise intolerance. Haematological examination revealed the presence of blast cells, decreased lymphocytes, mild thrombocytopenia and anaemia but no leucocytosis. Serum analyses detected elevated aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities and triglyceride concentrations. Twenty-two days after the initial visit, the horse died after showing clinical signs of decreased appetite, increased body temperature, tachypnoea and t...
Herteman N, Grimes C, Lavoie JP.To investigate indicators of neutrophil activation in the blood of healthy and asthma-affected horses and assess associations between corticosteroid treatment and these variables. Methods: 48 horses (14 with severe equine asthma [SEA], 21 with mild to moderate equine asthma [MEA], and 13 healthy controls). Methods: In a 3-part retrospective study, hematology analyzer data for horses included in previous studies were reviewed. Neutrophil size, neutrophil light absorbance (NLA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) index were recorded. Data for each variable were compared among groups for the entire study ...
Roşu O, Melega I, Evans AL, Arnemo JM, Küker S.Feral horses are immobilized for a variety of reasons including population control via contraceptives. Although opioid combinations have been successfully used for immobilization of feral horses, there is a need for combinations using drugs that are more readily available and present less of a human health hazard. We evaluated the chemical immobilization with physiological measurements and blood gas analyses of 91 free-ranging feral horses () remotely immobilized with a combination of 30 mg medetomidine and 775 mg ketamine in a single disposable 6 ml dart. During immobilization, heart rate, re...
Ertelt A, Merle R, Stumpff F, Bollinger L, Liertz S, Weber C, Gehlen H.The purpose of this study was to assess a change in different blood parameters before and after a 160 km endurance race and to evaluate differences in cardiac biomarkers between horses that completed the race and horses that did not. The study population consisted of 52 healthy endurance horses. Horses participating in the study were assigned to three groups: horses that successfully completed the race ("finishers"), horses that failed to qualify at the veterinary check for primarily metabolic reasons ("metabolic") and horses that failed to qualify at the veterinary check for primarily gait re...
Buendia A, Teng KT, Camino E, Dominguez L, Cruz-Lopez F.The hemogram is a routine analysis for equine veterinary practitioners in the assessment of patient clinical status. Reference intervals (RIs) of hematologic constituents vary according to different horse populations and are often described for a particular breed or horse type. The aims of this study were to determine RIs for hematologic constituents in a mixed-breed horse population residing in livery yards in central Spain and evaluate the associations between estimated RIs and multiple phenotypic and management characteristics. A total of 122 healthy horses from different breeds in central ...
Segabinazzi LGTM, Podico G, Rosser MF, Nanjappa SG, Alvarenga MA, Canisso IF.In light of PRP's increasing popularity in veterinary practice, this study aimed to compare three manual methods to prepare and cool equine PRP. The blood of 18 clinically healthy mares was collected via venipuncture in a blood transfusion bag (method 1), blood tubes (method 2), and a syringe (method 3). In method 1, samples were double centrifuged; method 2 involved one centrifugation, and in method 3 the syringe was kept in an upright position to sediment for 4 h. After processing with three methods, PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were extracted and assessed for red (RBC) and white blood...
Dorneles TEA, Costa Junior JD, Almeida RM, Teixeira Neto AR.Anaerobic cellular metabolism causes a series of structural and physiologic changes during storage that could compromise post-transfusion viability, reducing the safety of using blood stored for an extended period. Objective: We aimed to follow the biochemical and hematologic alterations of equine blood stored in plastic bags containing citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) for up to 28 days. Methods: Whole blood samples (450 mL) were collected from 20 Brazilian Saddle horses into CPDA-1 pouches and stored between 2°C and 6°C in a blood bank. On days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of storage, ...
Maśko M, Domino M, Jasiński T, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O.Blood testing is one of the most important ways to improve performance, facilitate recovery and monitor the training of endurance and race horses. However, little is known about the physical activity-dependent changes of blood parameters in horses used for pleasure and in riding schools. This study aimed to perform routine blood tests for training monitoring of sport horses in three different horse types of use. Then the values of blood indicators were compared between school, endurance and race horses to find similarities in the physical activity-dependent profile. The study was carried out o...
Picetti TS, Soveral LF, Miotto R, Erpen LMS, Kreutz Y, Guizzo JA, Frandoloso R, Kreutz LC.Immune-modulating molecules mainly act on innate immune cells, which are central to early defense against invading pathogens and contribute to developing adaptive immunity. Yeast-extracted β-glucan, a model immune-modulating molecule, is widely used in several animal species; however, its effect on horse immune parameters has not been thoroughly investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of orally administered β-glucan on selected innate immune parameters in horses. Methods: Eighteen thoroughbred horses were assigned equally into three groups as follows: One control group (no...
Poškienė I, Gruodytė R, Autukaitė J, Juozaitienė V, Antanaitis R.Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has described equine endurance racing as the second largest discipline in the world, above which is only show jumping. The Žemaitukai is an ancient indigenous Lithuanian horse breed known since the 6th or 7th century. The Arabian horse breed is one of the oldest human-developed horse breeds in the world. Compared with other race horse breeds, the muscle tissue of Arabian horses is characterized by significant differences in structure-a predominance of oxidative fiber type I is observed in Arabians, making them the prevailing breed in endurance racing...
Zilch TJ, Lee JJ, Saleem MZ, Zhang H, Cortese V, Voris N, McDonough SP, Divers TJ, Chang YF.Little information is available about experimental inoculation of leptospirosis in horses and the pathogenicity of Leptospira interrogans serovar Bratislava in this host. Objective: To determine the serological, clinical, pathological and haematological responses of horses to L. interrogans serovar Bratislava strain PigK151. Methods: Randomised controlled in vivo experiment. Methods: Ten seronegative female foals were divided into 2 groups, control (n = 4) and challenged (n = 6). The challenged group received 1 × 109 leptospires divided equally between topical ocular and intraperitoneal...
Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Diezma-Diaz C, Perlotti C, Zanzani SA, Ferrucci F, Álvarez-García G, Manfredi MT.Besnoitiosis is an emerging parasitic disease of equids. Italy is one of the few European countries where the circulation of Besnoitia spp. antibodies was demonstrated. In this study, a case of clinical besnoitiosis in two donkeys in northern Italy is reported. The two animals were clinically examined. Serum and blood samples were analyzed for the detection of Besnoitia spp. antibodies and for hematology, biochemistry, and enzyme activity, respectively. ITS-1 PCR and sequencing were carried out on DNA extracted from skin biopsies. Clinical examination revealed numerous scleral pearls in eyes o...
Ono T, Inoue Y, Hisaeda K, Yamada Y, Hata A, Miyama TS, Shibano K, Kitagawa H, Ohzawa E, Iwata E.This study aimed to evaluate the influence of seasons and sex on body size and hematological and biochemistry parameters of Noma horses, a native Japanese breed. Body size was larger in winter than in summer. Laboratory testing variables, including erythrocytic parameters and urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and creatinine kinase levels, were higher in winter, while the eosinophil count was higher in summer. These seasonal differences may be related to increased energy consumption of horses due to heat stress. The higher eosinophil counts may have been related to the dermatitis observed in su...
Chu SAA, Stokol T.The myeloperoxidase index (MPXI), on ADVIA hematology analyzers, reflects the mean neutrophil myeloperoxidase staining. It is used as a marker of inflammation in animals and people, but assay variability and storage stability are unknown. Objective: We aimed to determine MPXI precision and stability with refrigerated storage of canine and equine EDTA-anticoagulated blood and compared MPXI results between two analyzers. Methods: Inter-assay coefficients of variations (CVs) were determined from three human-based controls assayed before and after a 20- or 21-day calibration. Blood from 14-16 dogs...
Abu-Basha EA, Bani Ismail Z, Ababneh MM, Hamzeh E, Gehring R.This study was designed to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of tildipirosin in horses after intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of a single dose at 4 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). A total of 12 healthy mixed breed horses were used in the study. Horses were monitored for systemic and local adverse effects, and whole blood samples were collected for hematology and plasma biochemistry analysis at time (0) and at 6, 24, and 72 h after drug administration. For PK analysis, blood samples were collected at pre-determined times before and after tildipirosin adm...
Arfuso F, Giudice E, Di Pietro S, Piccione G, Giannetto C.This study aimed to evaluate the hematological and serum protein electrophoretic profiles of horses after inactivated West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine administration. Blood samples were collected from 10 horses before (T0), after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6) from the first WNV vaccine-dose administration, before the vaccine-booster (TPRE), and after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6) from the WNV vaccine-booster. There was a significant increase in lymphocytes and a decrease in neutrophils after both the first vaccin...
Miglio A, Falcinelli E, Mezzasoma AM, Cappelli K, Mecocci S, Gresele P, Antognoni MT.Training has a strong effect on the physiology of hematological parameters and blood coagulation, both in humans and in horses. Several blood changes have been reported after exercise in horses but available data differ. We aimed to investigate modifications in complete blood count and some hemostatic parameters induced by the first training period in young untrained Thoroughbred racehorses to detect a possible labile blood coagulability in racehorses. Twenty-nine untrained 2-year-old Thoroughbreds were followed during their incremental 4-month sprint exercise schedule. Blood collection was pe...
Thompson AC, Mochal-King C.Hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon endocrine disorder in the horse characterized by a transient or permanent parathyroid hormone insufficiency. Hypoparathyroidism is associated with hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, primarily presenting with clinical signs consistent with hypocalcemia. This case report describes clinical presentation and treatment of a horse with severe hypocalcemia due to primary hypoparathyroidism. A 17-year-old, 542 kg Quarter Horse gelding presented for shaking and tremors. Significant findings include generalized muscle fasciculations, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, ...
Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Cywińska A, Michlik-Połczyńska K, Czopowicz M, Strzelec K, Biazik A, Parzeniecka-Jaworska M, Crisman M, Witkowski L.Breed specific reference ranges for selected blood parameters are recommended for proper interpretation of blood tests, but there are only few reports dealing with ponies. The purpose of this study was to investigate if blood parameters differ among ponies' classes and to check if general normal values for equine species are applicable to ponies. Results: All, except total protein concentration, biochemical parameter significantly (p < 0.05) differed among ponies' classes. The most pronounced difference was noted in blood lactate concentrations, higher (p < 0.001) in the sma...
Fukuda K, Kuwano A, Kuroda T, Tamura N, Mita H, Okada Y, Kasashima Y.This study optimized the double-spin conditions for preparing equine platelet-rich plasma (PRP): leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) and leukocyte-poor PRP (P-PRP). Whole blood samples were centrifuged at various double-spin conditions. Both L-PRP and P-PRP were prepared at each stage, and complete blood counts and growth factor concentrations were compared. Samples centrifuged at 160 × 900 g, 160 × 2,000 g, and 400 × 2,000 g exhibited the highest platelet counts. P-PRP had significantly lower leukocyte and erythrocyte contents than L-PRP, especially at 400 × 2,000 g. No significant differences wer...
Trimboli F, De Amicis I, Di Loria A, Ceniti C, Carluccio A.The Martina Franca donkey (MFd) is one of the largest Italian donkey breeds, considered as endangered breed. To support the conservation strategies, knowledge about the physiologic hematological parameters of MFds is needed. The aims of the study were to determine reference value for hematological and major serum parameters in a population of healthy MFds and to estimate the influence of age on these parameters. Eighty-one clinically healthy MFds (17 males and 64 females) in different ages were enrolled: group A (foals, n° 16, animals < 1 year old) group B (young animals, n° 36, from 1 to 3 ...
Alamaary M, Ali A.This report presents a case of uterine prolapse in a Thoroughbred mare. The uterine prolapse occurred after abortion of twins in the eighth month of gestation. The prolapsed uterus was bleeding and congested but not damaged. The placenta was still attached to the endometrium. Blood samples were collected for hematology and for estimation of calcium, progesterone and estrogen. The cervix and clitoris were swabbed for bacteriology. The mare showed a decrease in the number of lymphocytes. The concentrations of estrogen and progesterone seemed normal compared with mares that foaled. Pseudomonas ae...
Sembratowicz I, Zięba G, Cholewinska E, Czech A.This study compared the effect of two dietary vegetable oils on plasma biochemical indices, haematological parameters, and redox status of horses. Forty riding horses (20 mares and 20 stallions) of the Malopolski breed were divided equally into two groups that were similar in terms of age, sex, and body weight (on average 530 ± 30 kg). The horses received soybean oil (SO) or flaxseed oil (FO) in the amount of 25 mL per 100 kg BW/day. After 60 days, blood was collected for biochemical and haematological analyses. The results show that horses receiving FO as compared to the SO group had signifi...
Danyer E, Bilal T.The effects of fish oil (40 ml/day) supplementation, with or without synthetic all-rac-alpha-tocopherol-acetate (2,500 IU/day), during the last 65 days before expected parturition were investigated in 15 adult mares (553 ± 24 kg BW) and their foals. Mares were assigned to one of three diets: control (n = 5), control plus fish oil and alpha-tocopherol (n = 4; FO + AT) or control with just fish oil (n = 6; FO). Blood samples were obtained from the mares before a 15-day dietary adaptation period (T1) and from mares and foals the first (T2) and fifth (T3) days post-partum. Colostrum...
Jaramillo C, Arias MP, Mosqueda D, Darby S, Renaud D, Gómez DE.This study aimed at describing selected hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of adult horses living at sea level and comparing them to those living at 5 different altitudes. One hundred and thirty-eight healthy Paso Fino horses > 2 years old were enrolled. Altitudes included the following: altitude A (0 to 50 m above sea level, masl; n = 23), B (1000 to 1050 masl; n = 25), C (1450 masl; n = 30), D (1950 to 2050 masl; n = 30), and E (2950 to 3100 masl; n = 30). A portable blood gas analyzer was used to determine selected biochemical and acid-base variab...
Mohd Rajdi NZI, Mohamad MA, Tan LP, Choong SS, Reduan MFH, Hamdan RH, C W Zalati CWS.This is the first case report for the positive Trypanosoma evansi incident in Kelantan, Malaysia confirmed through protozoa detection in a Siam B mare. The horse was presented with complaints of lethargy and inappetence and it collapsed on the day of visit. Normal saline and dextrose solution were administered intravenously, while multivitamins and nerve supplements were given intramuscularly to stabilise the horse before further treatment. Haematological findings showed normocytic hypochromic anaemia and are suggestive of regenerative anaemia. Thin blood smear and examination revealed the pre...
Arfuso F, Bazzano M, Brianti E, Gaglio G, Passantino A, Tesei B, Laus F.The increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance together with the restrictions in the use of drugs in food producing animals have enforced the search for sustainable alternative approaches for parasite control. The current study aimed to investigate the safety and the efficacy of a commercially available phytotherapic formulation against gastrointestinal strongyles in donkeys. Twenty-two Ragusana jennies (2.6 ± 0.5 years old) were assigned to two equal groups. One group was treated with two doses of a phytotherapic supplement Paraxitebio® containing , and , 14 days apart (Group A). One grou...
Nocera I, Bonelli F, Meucci V, Rinnovati R, Spadari A, Intorre L, Pretti C, Sgorbini M.Literature on the protein carbonyl content (PCC) evaluation in horses is scarce, thus the aims were to evaluate the PCC in healthy and SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) horses and to investigate the performances of PCC in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio in identifying SIRS positive and negative horses. A total of 72 adult horses were included. All the horses underwent to a complete physical examination, blood analysis, and were evaluated for the SIRS status. Blood samples were collected once in healthy horses and at admission time, then 24, 48, 72, and 96 h...
AbouLaila M, Allam T, Roshdey T, Elkhatam A.Strongylus vulgaris has high pathogenicity to equines. It causes aneurysm and thrombosis in the arteries particularly an anterior mesenteric artery, that is fatal to equines. In this study, we aimed to diagnose microscopically the natural infection of donkeys with Strongylus vulgaris from Sadat City, Minoufiya Governorate, Egypt. Fecal egg culture was used after the diagnosis of strongyle eggs to identify the species. Hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Adult worms were collected after post mortem examination of the infected animal. The sequence of ITS-2 was used to confirm...
Priyanka G, Anil Kumar B, Lakshman M, Manvitha V, Kala Kumar B.Ashwagandha ( L. Dunal.) is an important "" of Ayurveda. The roots are extensively used as an adaptogen and for different health issues. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating effects of Ashwagandha are well-documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ashwagandha root extract as an adaptogen against various types of stress in horses. A total of 24 Kathiawari horses were selected and randomly divided into four groups. All the horses were provided with normal feed and water . Group 1 (G1) was treated as the control group, and the horses were given a n...
Yamada M, Gentry PA.The coagulation factors VII and X and fibrinogen were detected in equine ovarian follicular fluid. The amounts of fibrinogen and factor X were approximately 40 percent of that found in normal equine plasma while the level of factor VII was lower, at approximately 14 percent. The addition of human recombinant tissue factor caused fibrin formation in the follicular fluid. The thrombin generating activity appears to be confined to the tissue factor pathway since no activity associated with factors VIII:C, IX or IX was detected. Fibrinolytic activity, at higher levels than that found in plasma, wa...
Brownie CF, Cullen J.An isolate of Fusarium moniliforme (M-1225 Cairo #1) was cultured on autoclaved corn and fed daily to 5 ponies at a rate of 2.5 g corn/kg body wt. One pony developed clinical signs of toxicity after 28 days and was sacrificed. The remaining 4 ponies developed no clinical sign of toxicity even after extended exposure. Hematology, serum chemistry, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and liver and brain pathology were evaluated as possible diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Hematology was not informative. Aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were elevated only in the c...
Deniau V, Depecker M, Bizon-Mercier C, Couroucé-Malblanc A.To compare the changes in splenic length and thickness and in packed cell volume (PCV) following detomidine or xylazine administration and subsequent epinephrine infusion. Objective: Spleen relaxation occurs following xylazine or detomidine administration and interferes with subsequent splenic contractile response to epinephrine. Methods: Randomized non-blinded crossover experimental study. Methods: 6 healthy adult mares. Methods: The mares received an intravenous (IV) epinephrine infusion (1 μg kg(-1 ) minute(-1) over 5 minutes) one hour after IV administration of detomidine (0.01 mg kg(-1) ...
Owens SD, Snipes J, Magdesian KG, Christopher MM.Blood typing before transfusion minimizes the risk of transfusion reactions and prevents immunization of the recipient against incompatible RBC antigens. The major RBC antigens that warrant identification before packed RBC or whole blood transfusions in horses are Ca and Aa. Standard blood-typing protocols are time-consuming (2.5-3.0 hours) and impractical in emergency settings. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether equine RBCs could be typed for Ca and Aa antigens using sera from horses with RBC antibodies in a modified rapid (15 minute) blood-typing protocol. Methods:...
Brooks MB, Divers TJ, Watts AE, Ness SL, Frye AH, Stokol T, Fubini SL.To evaluate the platelet activation response before and after treatment with clopidogrel in horses. Methods: 12 healthy adult mares. Methods: In a masked study, horses (6/group) were randomly allocated to alternately receive placebo or clopidogrel via nasogastric tube at a loading dose of 4 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg every 24 hours. Blood samples were collected before and 72 hours after initiation of treatment for ADP- and collagen-induced light transmission aggregometry; determination of closure time in collagen-ADP cartridges; modified thrombelastography for comparison of maximal amplitudes g...
Kang OD, Park YS.This study aimed to analyze the on heart rate, blood lactate concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) response after conducting exercise in endurance horses. Methods: A total of 20 healthy 3-9-years-old Jeju crossbreed mares (5.95 ± 2.24 year) of age and 312.65 ± 13.59 kg of weight) currently participating the endurance competition were used. The field tests selected for the experiment was gallop (approximately 8.3 m/s) along the selected 2.5 km course (a natural forest trail, not artificial road; a closed loop course). The horses were divided into three groups...
Kullmann A, Sanz M, Fosgate GT, Saulez MN, Page PC, Rioja E.Alpha-2 agonist-induced changes in packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), selected biochemical parameters, and splenic thickness were investigated in horses. Four healthy mares were treated in a blinded, randomized, cross-over design with a dose of xylazine (0.5 mg/kg), romifidine (0.04 mg/kg), or detomidine (0.01 mg/kg) IV, and detomidine (0.02 mg/kg) IM. Hematology, TS, colloid osmotic pressure (COP), plasma osmolality; glucose, lactate, urea (BUN) and electrolyte concentrations; venous blood pH and ultrasonographic splenic thickness were evaluated at intervals for 300 min. Repeated me...
Wright ME, Croser EL, Raidal S, Baral RM, Robinson W, Lievaart J, Freeman KP.Clinical pathology results are typically interpreted by referring to population-based reference intervals. The use of individualised (subject-based) reference intervals is more appropriate for measurands with a high degree of variation between individuals. Objective: To determine the biological variation of routinely analysed equine haematology and biochemistry measurands and calculate indices of individuality and reference change values which enable production of individualised reference intervals, in a group of healthy, privately owned horses. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, thirty-n...
Lavoie JP, Fiset L, Laverty S.A retrospective study of 40 horses with primary lung abscesses without pleuropneumonia showed that lung abscesses occurred predominantly in young horses, usually in foals aged < or = 6 months. Hyperfibrinogenaemia was present in all but 2 horses, and other common clinical and haematological findings were hyperthermia, tachycardia, polypnoea, and neutrophilic leucocytosis. The most common bacterial species isolated from transtracheal aspirates were Streptococcus zooepidemicus (20/34) and Rhodococcus equi (13/34). Most horses (23/27) discharged from the hospital were long term survivors. Of t...
Lizarraga I, Beeler-Marfisi J, Marshall DL, Hassan M, Castillo-Alcala F, Simon BT, Fraites T, Thrall MA.There is a large population of donkeys in Saint Kitts; however, hematological and biochemical reference intervals (RIs) are lacking. This study addressed this deficiency by following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology RI guidelines. Sixty-six healthy, gelding standard donkeys with a median and interquartile range age of 5 years (3.5 - 8 years) and a mean ± standard deviation body weighed of 156 ± 16.7 kg were used to produce a five-part differential complete blood count using an impedance-based analyzer. Clinical chemistry analytes were quantified using a photometric-base...
Kalantari M, Sharifiyazdi H, Ghane M, Nazifi S.Hemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are wall-less bacteria, which may lead to anemia and, even, mortality in mammals. The present study was aimed to characterize the causative agent(s) of haemoplasma infection in blood samples taken from horses (n = 133) in south of Iran. Microscopic examination of blood smears and PCR assay were performed for the detection of hemotropic Mycoplasma and equine piroplasma (Babesia caballi and Theileria equi). For the purpose of molecular characterization, 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA markers were used for hemotropic Mycoplasma and piroplasma pathogens, respective...
Valdéz-Cruz MP, Hernández-Gil M, Galindo-Rodríguez L, Alonso-Díaz MA.The east coast of Veracruz, Mexico, has an important equine population used for working in rural production systems. The objectives of this study were (1) to calculate the prevalence of tropical working equids (donkeys, mules and horses) infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) and the GINs involved, and (2) to measure the body condition score (BCS) and haematological values for each working equid and its relationship with faecal worm egg count (EPG). One hundred and forty working equids were randomly selected from five different villages along the central coast of the state of Veracruz...
Ralston SL, Nockels CF, Squires EL.Hematologic data and results of diagnostic tests were compared between aged (greater than or equal to 20 years old) and young (less than or equal to 5 years old) horses to identify hematologic and metabolic changes associated with aging. Initial data were obtained from 8 aged and 6 young mares (group 1). Similar data were collected from a second group of aged (3 mares and 3 geldings) and young (1 mare and 5 geldings) horses (group 2). Dexamethasone suppression tests (DST) and necropsies were performed on 6 additional mares and mare 8 from group 1 (group 3). Complete blood counts and serum bioc...
Firth EC, Wensing T, Seuren F.The effects of intra-articular injection of small amounts of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the intercarpal joint of 5 ponies were studied. The LPS induced predictable changes all of which were analogous to acute bacterial infection, except that the development of signs occurred sooner after the LPS injection, and subsided within 36 hours. Fever was monophasic and peaked at 5-7 hours. The ponies exhibited depression, reduced or absent appetite, increased pulse and respiration rates, and lameness. The lameness became evident between 1 and 2 hours after injection, at which time warmth, ar...
Lee EB, Kim JW, Seo JP.Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is popularly used in the horse industry to enhance regeneration of tissue injury that has limitation of blood supply. This study aimed to compare the methods for platelet rich plasma preparation since they has not been established yet. Blood was collected from six horses and platelets were concentrated by three different methods (2-step centrifugation, separated centrifugation and separated centrifugation using histopaque). Concentrated blood was analyzed using Advia hematology systems. In the result, separated centrifugation with histopaque showed the significantly ...
Gibson JS, Ellory JC, Culliford SJ, Fincham DA.Potassium (using 86Rb+ as a tracer), amino acid and taurine fluxes were measured in horse red blood cells (RBCs). No volume-sensitive component of alanine and glycine transport was observed, and although volume-sensitive taurine fluxes were observed in most animals, their absolute magnitudes were small. K+ fluxes, however, were shown to be particularly volume sensitive; they were stimulated by cell swelling and inhibited by cell shrinkage. Sizeable fluxes were present at normal cell volumes. The volume-sensitive K+ flux was Cl- dependent and was abolished by Cl- replacement with methylsulphate...
Sumbria D, Singla LD, Kumar S, Sharma A, Dahiya RK, Setia R.Equine piroplasmosis is a febrile, tick-borne disease of equids predominately caused by obligatory intra-erythrocytic protozoa Theileria equi in the Indian sub-continent. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 464 equids (426 horses and 38 donkeys/mules) in Punjab, India to assess the level of exposure to equine piroplasmosis by 18S rRNA gene nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and equine merozoite antigen-2 (EMA2) indirect-ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), to investigate risk factors and haemato-biochemical alterations associated with the infection. The endemicity of the dise...
Clark P, Mogg TD, Tvedten HW, Korcal D.Delayed analysis of blood samples may be caused by restricted access to laboratories. Artifactual changes may occur in the measured analytes as a consequence of delayed analysis and may complicate interpretation of the data. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize artifactual changes in equine blood, due to storage, using the Advia 120 hematology analyzer. Methods: Samples of blood from 5 horses were analyzed using the Advia 120 soon after collection and again after 24 and 48 hours of storage at either 4 degrees C or ambient laboratory temperature ( approximately 24 degrees C)...
Mair TS, Hillyer MH, Taylor FG.The clinical signs in 21 adult horses affected by peritonitis (unassociated with gastrointestinal rupture or surgical interference of the abdomen) included colic (18 cases), pyrexia (15 cases), weight loss (six cases) and diarrhoea (five cases). The diagnosis was based on a nucleated cell count in peritoneal fluid greater than 10(10)/litre. Haematological abnormalities (either neutropenia or neutrophilia) were present in 17 animals, and hyperfibrinogenaemia was identified in 14. Twelve of the 21 horses survived after intensive antibiotic therapy; the other nine were destroyed either at explora...
Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D.A 23-year-old male Thoroughbred horse at the Korean Military Academy appeared thin with visible rib bones and presented clinical signs of fever, anorexia, lethargy, and severe dehydration. To determine the presence of various febrile disease-causing agents, the 23 cohabiting horses at the academy, including this horse, were subjected to hematology, blood chemistry, and molecular analysis using whole blood samples collected during regular medical check-ups. On the basis of clinical history, physical examination, hematology, blood chemistry, and fecal examination, differential diagnosis using mo...
Parry BW, Anderson GA.The effect of acepromazine maleate (ACP) on the equine venous haematocrit and total plasma protein concentration was studied in six clinically normal horses. Total plasma protein concentration was not appreciably influenced by ACP. However, the haematocrit decreased with the duration, but not the degree, of the decrease being dose-related. Mean haematocrit values returned to control levels by 12 h after 0.05 mg ACP/kg body weight and 21 h after 0.15 mg ACP/kg body weight.
Wilson JW, Stevens JB.Data were obtained from 190 cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from both clinically normal and diseased dogs, cats, cows, and horses. Red blood cells, indicating blood contamination, were identified in 115 samples. White blood cells were a rare finding in normal animals. Blood contamination appeared to have little effect on white blood cell numbers even though, in several samples, thousands of red blood cells were identified. An accepted formula to correct for blood contamination was found to be an unreliable method to determine "uncontaminated" values for white blood cells, total protein, ...
Bazzano M, Giannetto C, Fazio F, Rizzo M, Giudice E, Piccione G.The aim of the study was to assess changes in some haematological parameters of periparturient mares from the last three months of pregnancy until the third week after foaling. The study was carried out on 15 healthy pregnant mares (Group A) and 7 healthy non-pregnant non-lactating mares (Group B). Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture into EDTA tubes and tested for Haematocrit (Hct), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), Platelets (Plt) and White Blood Cell (WBC). Peripheral blood smears were also performed to assess changes in the leucocyte differential count. Group A showed...
Ertelt A, Merle R, Stumpff F, Bollinger L, Liertz S, Weber C, Gehlen H.The purpose of this study was to assess a change in different blood parameters before and after a 160 km endurance race and to evaluate differences in cardiac biomarkers between horses that completed the race and horses that did not. The study population consisted of 52 healthy endurance horses. Horses participating in the study were assigned to three groups: horses that successfully completed the race ("finishers"), horses that failed to qualify at the veterinary check for primarily metabolic reasons ("metabolic") and horses that failed to qualify at the veterinary check for primarily gait re...
Snow DH, Ricketts SW, Mason DK.The haematological response to racing and to fast and slow training exercise was investigated in studies involving two populations of horses which differed widely in geographical location, climatic factors and management (Newmarket and Hong Kong). The well documented elevations in erythrocyte parameters were demonstrated and changing responses in leucocyte parameters, resulting in variations in the neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio were described. It was shown that the immediate response to the anticipation or stress of exercise was a decrease in N/L ratio in association with an increase in...
Blong AE, Epstein KL, Brainard BM.To investigate the in vitro effects of 3 hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions on viscoelastic coagulation testing and platelet function in horses. Methods: Blood samples collected from 7 healthy adult horses. Methods: Blood samples were diluted with various crystalloid and HES solutions to approximate the dilution of blood in vivo that occurs with administration of a 10 and 20 mL/kg fluid bolus to a horse (1:8 and 1:4 dilutions, respectively). Diluted samples were analyzed through optical platelet aggregometry, platelet function analysis, thromboelastography, and dynamic viscoelastic coagulomet...
Giordano A, Rossi G, Pieralisi C, Paltrinieri S.The ADVIA 120 is an automated laser cell counter widely used in veterinary medicine. Although specific software for equine samples is available and validated, only a few reports have been published comparing the ADVIA 120 with other methods for equine hemogram evaluation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the hematologic values and reference intervals obtained on the ADVIA 120 with those obtained on an impedance cell counter and manual differential counts in healthy horses. Methods: EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples were obtained from 114 clinically healthy horses of various ...