Rapid determination of equine hemoglobin concentration with the Spencer hemoglobinometer.

The research paper looks at the accuracy and reproducibility of the Spencer hemoglobinometer, a device that rapidy determines equine hemoglobin concentration, particularly useful in emergency veterinary situations.

Introduction of the Research Study

• This research paper evaluates the Spencer hemoglobinometer and its efficacy for quickly determining equine hemoglobin concentration during in-field emergencies.
• Equine hemoglobin concentration can gauge a horse’s degree of hemoconcentration or anemia, which is important information for a veterinarian when making diagnosis or treatment decisions in an emergency.

Details about the Spencer Hemoglobinometer

• The Spencer hemoglobinometer is not widely used yet, but has demonstrated potential as a good source of information about oxyhemoglobin presence in a blood sample.
• The device functions by comparing the intensity of light passing through a laked layer of Red Blood Cells (RBC) and a green filter, with a colored glass standard. The greater the quantity of hemoglobin, the greater the amount of light absorbed by the blood sample, hence giving an indication of the hemoglobin level.
• The device uses green light because the human eye is more sensitive to this color than others, and because hemoglobin absorbs maximum light in the green wavelength.
• Notably, this instrument is portable and suitable for field usage; it operates with flashlight batteries.

The Study’s Focus

• The main objective of this study was to test the accuracy and consistency of results when using the Spencer hemoglobinometer for determining equine hemoglobin concentration.
• The researchers evaluated how precise the readings were and if the device would consistently deliver the same results under the same conditions.