Haematological and serum biochemical reference values for apparently healthy working horses in Pakistan.
Abstract: This study aimed to establish comprehensive reference values for horses working in developing countries, and to compare them against accepted values for horses in developed countries, supporting diagnosis and clinical decision-making. Horses in developing countries usually perform strenuous work in hot, resource-limited conditions, so their 'normal' blood parameters may differ from other horses. Blood was analysed from 203 working horses in Pakistan, meeting defined clinical criteria. Age, sex, body condition and work-type showed small significant effects, but none were clinically relevant. Of the 32 reference intervals, 28 overlapped those of UK horses. However, the entire reference interval for creatine kinase was higher than for UK horses, while those for erythrocytes, albumin and albumin:globulin ratio were lower. Haematocrit and haemoglobin concentrations were also low. Therefore, apparently healthy working horses may have chronic muscle damage from overwork, and may have sub-clinical anaemia. Interventions combating these conditions could improve animal welfare, although it is unclear whether differences between UK and Pakistan reference values reflect chronic abnormalities, or are in fact physiological adaptations enabling horses to cope with the challenging conditions.
Publication Date: 2009-06-23 PubMed ID: 19552930DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.05.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research aimed to identify standard reference values for the blood parameters in working horses in Pakistan, which could help veterinarians diagnose and treat illnesses. For apparently healthy working horses, the study found indications of chronic muscle damage and possible low-grade anemia.
Objective & Methodology
- The research aimed to set reference values for blood parameters for working horses in Pakistan, and compare these values to those established for horses in developed nations, such as the UK.
- The study involved blood analysis of 203 working horses in Pakistan which met certain clinical criteria.
- The study also accounted for factors such as age, sex, body condition and work-type of the horses.
Key Findings
- Out of 32 reference intervals, 28 were in overlap with the values for UK horses, pointing to common physiological patterns regardless of geographic location.
- However, the study found the entire reference interval for an enzyme called creatine kinase was higher in Pakistani horses as compared to UK horses.
- Additionally, the research found lower reference intervals in Pakistani horses for erythrocytes (red blood cells), albumin (a protein in blood plasma), and the albumin:globulin ratio when compared to UK horses.
- Concentrations of haematocrit (the volume percentage of red blood cells in blood) and haemoglobin were also found to be on the lower side.
Implications
- The abnormally high levels of creatine kinase suggest that, despite being apparently healthy, the working horses may be suffering from chronic muscle damage possibly due to overwork.
- Lower levels of erythrocytes, albumin, haematocrit, and haemoglobin might indicate that these horses have sub-clinical anaemia.
- Interventions to address these conditions could enhance animal welfare in the region.
- However, it has not been established if the identified differences between the UK and Pakistan reference values indicate chronic health issues in the horses or could be adaptive physiological responses to handle harsh work environments.
Cite This Article
APA
Pritchard JC, Burn CC, Barr AR, Whay HR.
(2009).
Haematological and serum biochemical reference values for apparently healthy working horses in Pakistan.
Res Vet Sci, 87(3), 389-395.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.05.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS405DU, UK. joy@thebrooke.org
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Blood Cell Count
- Blood Proteins
- Body Composition
- Creatinine / blood
- Female
- Hematocrit / veterinary
- Hemoglobins
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Sex Characteristics
- Urea / blood
Citations
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