Automated serum chemical analysis in the foal.

This research explores the differences in blood test results between young and mature horses, highlighting that age-specific references are important when assessing health conditions in foals.

Overview of the Research

• The research was carried out by collecting blood samples from healthy Quarter Horse and Appaloosa foals from birth up to an age of 18 weeks.
• The blood samples were processed using an automated system for serum chemical analysis.
• The analysis grouped the results by the age of the foals at the time the sample was taken.

Finding and Conclusions

• The research found that the test values from the foals were significantly different from the values that would usually be seen in adult horses.
• These differences were most notable in the measurements for alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, and total bilirubin.
• The research concluded with an important suggestion for diagnosing illnesses in foals: the results of serum biochemical tests should be compared with age-specific normal values.
• This means that what is considered ‘normal’ for an adult horse may not be applicable to a young foal, so different reference points are needed when interpreting test results from young horses.

Implications of this Research

• The implications of this research concern the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in young horses.
• Veterinary professionals need to be aware of these differences in chemistry and adjust their expectations and interpretations accordingly.
• Using adult horse values to interpret the serum chemical analysis of a foal could result in misdiagnoses of diseases or health conditions, leading to inappropriate treatment.