Hematological profile of healthy Thoroughbred foals from birth to one month of age in Trinidad, West Indies.

The research focuses on establishing a database of hematological reference intervals for healthy thoroughbred foals in Trinidad, West Indies, from birth to one-month-old. The findings will help to monitor foal health status and detect possible diseases.

Research Methods

• The study was comprised of 89 thoroughbred foals from various locations in Trinidad, West Indies.
• Whole blood samples were procured from these foals at approximate intervals: 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after birth.
• The health status of foals was investigated and only those classified as healthy were included for the establishment of reference intervals. This resulted in 67 eligible foals out of the original 89.
• Several tests were conducted, including a Complete Blood Count (CBC), microscopic examination of blood smears, and conventional PCR for testing for diseases caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.

Research Findings

• The study shows that the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit values in the sampled foals were lower at all three times of sampling compared to North American thoroughbred foals. This implies that geographical location and environmental factors might have an impact on these blood parameters.
• The study further reveals the profound effect of age on the variation of hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil, and platelet counts in the foals between birth and 1 month.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that reference intervals are subject to variations rooted in demographic, physiological, and environmental factors such as age, gender, breed, and geographical location.
• The Association points out the crucial role that the reference intervals play in monitoring health status and identifying disease conditions in newborn foals. It emphasizes the need to take into account local geographical and demographic factors when establishing reference intervals.