FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters in h...
BMC veterinary research2021; 17(1); 38; doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02741-5

Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters in healthy ponies.

Abstract: 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 smallest ponies (class A). In all groups of ponies muscle enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase) and urea were high when compared to normal values for equine species, but triglycerides and creatinine were low. Blood lactate concentration was high in comparison with normal values for horses only in class A ponies'. Conclusions: In healthy ponies, blood lactate concentration significantly differs between height classes. Normal values for equine species should not be directly applied to interpret the lactate, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase values in ponies.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-01-19 PubMed ID: 33468115PubMed Central: PMC7814612DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02741-5Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the differences in certain blood parameters across different classes of ponies, finding notable variations that potentially discredit the use of general equine reference values in understanding pony health.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aimed to find out if there are differences in blood parameters among different classes of ponies, and whether standard reference values for horse species are applicable to ponies. This research is critical as it could potentially affect health assessments and veterinary procedures for ponies.

Key Findings

  • The results show that all blood parameters, except for total protein concentration, differed notably among distinct classes of ponies. The blood lactate concentrations were particularly different, with smaller ponies (class A) having notably higher values.
  • Moreover, in all groups of ponies, levels of muscle enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase) and urea were found to be higher than the normal equine values, while levels of triglycerides and creatinine were lower. In class A ponies specifically, blood lactate concentration was higher when compared with normal values for horses.

Conclusion of the Study

  • With these findings, the research concluded that normal equine values should not be directly used to interpret lactate, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase values in ponies, as the study found significant differences in these values across different classes of ponies.
  • However, this study suggests that breed-specific reference ranges need to be established for blood parameters in ponies for accurate health assessments. This could prove beneficial for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of health issues in ponies.

Cite This Article

APA
Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Cywińska A, Michlik-Połczyńska K, Czopowicz M, Strzelec K, Biazik A, Parzeniecka-Jaworska M, Crisman M, Witkowski L. (2021). Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters in healthy ponies. BMC Vet Res, 17(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02741-5

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Pages: 38
PII: 38

Researcher Affiliations

Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, Olga
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska str. 159c, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland.
Cywińska, Anna
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska str. 159c, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland. anna_cywinska@sggw.edu.pl.
  • Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland. anna_cywinska@sggw.edu.pl.
Michlik-Połczyńska, Katarzyna
  • Department of Internal Diseases and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
Czopowicz, Michał
  • Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland.
Strzelec, Katarzyna
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Biazik, Anna
  • Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland.
Parzeniecka-Jaworska, Marta
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska str. 159c, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland.
Crisman, Mark
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Science, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
Witkowski, Lucjan
  • Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Female
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / classification
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Male
  • Reference Values
  • Triglycerides / blood

Grant Funding

  • 05-1/KNOW2/ 2015 / Krajowy Naukowy Osrodek Wiodacy
  • 2017/25/N/NZ6/02750 / Narodowe Centrum Nauki
  • decision no. 9506/E-385/R/2018 / Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyu017cszego

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References

This article includes 48 references
  1. Hinchcliff KW, Kaneps A, Geor R. Equine sports medicine and surgery: Saunders Ltd. 2013.
  2. Greppi GF, Casini L, Gatta D, Orlandi M, Pasquini M. Daily fluctuations of haematology and blood biochemistry in horses fed varying levels of protein.. Equine Vet J 1996 Sep;28(5):350-3.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03104.xpubmed: 8894531google scholar: lookup
  3. Paden L, Gomercic T, Duras M, Arbanasic H, Galov A. Hematological and serum biochemical reference values for the Posavina and Croatian Coldblood horse breeds. Acta Vet-Beograd 2014;64(2):200–212.
    doi: 10.2478/acve-2014-0019google scholar: lookup
  4. Takasu M, Nagatani N, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Maeda M, Murase T, Mukoyama H. Hematological and biochemical reference values for the endangered kiso horse.. J Equine Sci 2013;24(4):75-8.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.24.75pmc: PMC4013988pubmed: 24834006google scholar: lookup
  5. . Rossdales Guide to Equine Clinical Pathology. 2011.
  6. Cywińska A, Wyszyńska Z, Górecka R, Szarska E, Witkowski L, Dziekan P, Winnicka A, Schollenberger A. The effect of the 162 km endurance ride on equine peripheral blood neutrophil and lymphocyte functions.. Pol J Vet Sci 2010;13(2):279-85.
    pubmed: 20731182
  7. Weiss D, Wardrop KJ. Schalm's veterinary hematology, 6th edition: Wiley-Blackwell. 2010.
  8. Bruce W. Parry: Current Therapy in Equine Medicine (Fifth Edition). 2003; pp. 870–886.
  9. Latson KM, Nieto JE, Beldomenico PM, Snyder JR. Evaluation of peritoneal fluid lactate as a marker of intestinal ischaemia in equine colic.. Equine Vet J 2005 Jul;37(4):342-6.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164054529319pubmed: 16028624google scholar: lookup
  10. Henderson ISF. Diagnostic and prognostic use of L-lactate measurement in equine practice. Equine Vet Educ 2013;25(9):468–475.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12033google scholar: lookup
  11. Tennent-Brown BS, Wilkins PA, Lindborg S, Russell G, Boston RC. Sequential plasma lactate concentrations as prognostic indicators in adult equine emergencies.. J Vet Intern Med 2010 Jan-Feb;24(1):198-205.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0419.xpubmed: 19925572google scholar: lookup
  12. Tennent-Brown B. Blood lactate measurement and interpretation in critically ill equine adults and neonates.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2014 Aug;30(2):399-413, viii.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.04.006pubmed: 25016498google scholar: lookup
  13. Johnston K, Holcombe SJ, Hauptman JG. Plasma lactate as a predictor of colonic viability and survival after 360 degrees volvulus of the ascending colon in horses.. Vet Surg 2007 Aug;36(6):563-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2007.00305.xpubmed: 17686130google scholar: lookup
  14. Hinchcliff KW, Rush BR, Farris JW. Evaluation of plasma catecholamine and serum cortisol concentrations in horses with colic.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005 Jul 15;227(2):276-80.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.2005.227.276pubmed: 16047666google scholar: lookup
  15. Delesalle C, Dewulf J, Lefebvre RA, Schuurkes JA, Proot J, Lefere L, Deprez P. Determination of lactate concentrations in blood plasma and peritoneal fluid in horses with colic by an Accusport analyzer.. J Vet Intern Med 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):293-301.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.tb02963.xpubmed: 17427391google scholar: lookup
  16. Petersen MB, Tolver A, Husted L, Tølbøll TH, Pihl TH. Repeated measurements of blood lactate concentration as a prognostic marker in horses with acute colitis evaluated with classification and regression trees (CART) and random forest analysis.. Vet J 2016 Jul;213:18-23.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.03.012pubmed: 27240909google scholar: lookup
  17. Dunkel B, Kapff JE, Naylor RJ, Boston R. Blood lactate concentrations in ponies and miniature horses with gastrointestinal disease.. Equine Vet J 2013 Nov;45(6):666-70.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12043pubmed: 23451985google scholar: lookup
  18. Dunkel B, Knowles EJ, Chang YM, Menzies-Gow NJ. Correlation between l-lactate and glucose concentrations and body condition score in healthy horses and ponies.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2267-2271.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15587pmc: PMC6766520pubmed: 31390098google scholar: lookup
  19. Mogg TD, Palmer JE. Hyperlipidemia, hyperlipemia, and hepatic lipidosis in American miniature horses: 23 cases (1990-1994).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995 Sep 1;207(5):604-7.
    pubmed: 7649775
  20. Watson TD, Murphy D, Love S. Equine hyperlipaemia in the United Kingdom: clinical features and blood biochemistry of 18 cases.. Vet Rec 1992 Jul 18;131(3):48-51.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.131.3.48pubmed: 1279884google scholar: lookup
  21. Bamford NJ, Potter SJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Breed differences in insulin sensitivity and insulinemic responses to oral glucose in horses and ponies of moderate body condition score.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2014 Apr;47:101-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.11.001pubmed: 24308928google scholar: lookup
  22. Morgan R, Keen J, McGowan C. Equine metabolic syndrome.. Vet Rec 2015 Aug 15;177(7):173-9.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.103226pmc: PMC4552932pubmed: 26273009google scholar: lookup
  23. Morgan RA, McGowan TW, McGowan CM. Prevalence and risk factors for hyperinsulinaemia in ponies in Queensland, Australia.. Aust Vet J 2014 Apr;92(4):101-6.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.12159pubmed: 24673135google scholar: lookup
  24. Jeffcott LB, Field JR. Current concepts of hyperlipaemia in horses and ponies.. Vet Rec 1985 Apr 27;116(17):461-6.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.116.17.461pubmed: 3890349google scholar: lookup
  25. Niedźwiedź A, Jaworski Z, Filipowski H, Zawadzki M, Wrzosek M, Służewska-Niedźwiedź M, Nicpoń J. Serum biochemical reference intervals for the Polish Konik horse (Equus cabalus gmelini Ant.).. Vet Clin Pathol 2013 Mar;42(1):66-9.
    doi: 10.1111/vcp.12020pubmed: 23278530google scholar: lookup
  26. Stachurska A, Nogaj A, Brodacki A, Nogaj J, Batkowska J. Genetic distances between horse breeds in Poland estimated according to blood protein polymorphism. Czech J Anim Sci 2014;59(6):257–267.
    doi: 10.17221/7496-CJASgoogle scholar: lookup
  27. Cywińska A, Czopowicz M, Witkowski L, Górecka R, Degórski A, Guzera M, Szczubełek P, Turło A, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A. Reference intervals for selected hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses.. Pol J Vet Sci 2015;18(2):439-45.
    doi: 10.1515/pjvs-2015-0056pubmed: 26172196google scholar: lookup
  28. Ono T, Yamada Y, Hata A, Shimokawa Miyama T, Shibano K, Iwata E, Ohzawa E, Kitagawa H. Reference values of hematological and blood biochemical parameters for the Noma horse.. J Equine Sci 2019 Sep;30(3):69-73.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.30.69pmc: PMC6773617pubmed: 31592225google scholar: lookup
  29. Shawaf T, Hussen J, Al-Zoubi M, Hamaash H, Al-Busadah K. Impact of season, age and gender on some clinical, haematological and serum parameters in Shetland ponies in east province, Saudi Arabia.. Int J Vet Sci Med 2018 Jun;6(1):61-64.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijvsm.2018.03.007pmc: PMC6148337pubmed: 30255080google scholar: lookup
  30. Szarska E, Jonca M, Frankiewicz-Jozko A. Rest HR values and selected blood parameters in sport ponies. Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Rolniczej we Wrocławiu 2004;50:50–6.
  31. Krumrych W, Wiśniewski E, Danek J. Haematological parameters of the Polish Primitive Horses.. Arch Vet Pol 1993;33(3-4):205-16.
    pubmed: 10187986
  32. Dekic R, Ivanc A, Cetkovic D, Dolicanin Z, Obradovic S. Hematology of Bosnian pony. Bulg J Agric Sci 2014;20:1237–1244.
  33. Wilmink JM, Veenman JN, van den Boom R, Rutten VP, Niewold TA, Broekhuisen-Davies JM, Lees R, Armstrong S, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A. Differences in polymorphonucleocyte function and local inflammatory response between horses and ponies.. Equine Vet J 2003 Sep;35(6):561-9.
    pubmed: 14515955doi: 10.2746/042516403775467234google scholar: lookup
  34. Satué K, Hernández Á, Lorente C, Fazio E, Medica P. Age- and Sex-Related Modifications of Hematology in Spanish Purebred Horse.. J Equine Vet Sci 2020 Oct;93:103219.
    pubmed: 32972677doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103219google scholar: lookup
  35. Roy MF, Kwong GP, Lambert J, Massie S, Lockhart S. Prognostic Value and Development of a Scoring System in Horses With Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Mar;31(2):582-592.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.14670pmc: PMC5354005pubmed: 28207163google scholar: lookup
  36. Breidenbach A, Fuhrmann H, Deegen E, Lindholm A, Sallmann HP. Studies on equine lipid metabolism. 2. Lipolytic activities of plasma and tissue lipases in large horses and ponies.. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1999 Feb;46(1):39-48.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00186.xpubmed: 10085766google scholar: lookup
  37. Overmann J. Blood Proteins and Acute Phase Proteins. 2017; p. 133–7.
  38. Witkowska-Pilaszewicz O, Kaszak I, Zmigrodzka M, Winnicka A, Sacharczuk M, Szczepaniak J, Cywinska A. Equine atypical myopathy - a review. Anim Sci Paper Rep 2019;37(3):233–242.
  39. Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Bąska P, Czopowicz M, Żmigrodzka M, Szczepaniak J, Szarska E, Winnicka A, Cywińska A. Changes in Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Concentration in Arabian Endurance Horses During First Training Season.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jun 8;9(6).
    pmc: PMC6616404pubmed: 31181740doi: 10.3390/ani9060330google scholar: lookup
  40. Cywińska A, Szarska E, Górecka R, Witkowski L, Hecold M, Bereznowski A, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A. Acute phase protein concentrations after limited distance and long distance endurance rides in horses.. Res Vet Sci 2012 Dec;93(3):1402-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.02.008pubmed: 22390917google scholar: lookup
  41. Snow DH, Guy PS. Muscle fibre type composition of a number of limb muscles in different types of horse.. Res Vet Sci 1980 Mar;28(2):137-44.
    doi: 10.1016/S0034-5288(18)32735-8pubmed: 6447905google scholar: lookup
  42. Moore BR, Abood SK, Hinchcliff KW. Hyperlipemia in 9 miniature horses and miniature donkeys.. J Vet Intern Med 1994 Sep-Oct;8(5):376-81.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1994.tb03253.xpubmed: 7837116google scholar: lookup
  43. Wilson DA. Clinical veterinary advisor: W.B. Saunders. 2012.
  44. Freestone JF, Wolfsheimer KJ, Ford RB, Church G, Bessin R. Triglyceride, insulin, and cortisol responses of ponies to fasting and dexamethasone administration.. J Vet Intern Med 1991 Jan-Feb;5(1):15-22.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1991.tb00925.xpubmed: 2020012google scholar: lookup
  45. Oikawa S, McGuirk S, Nishibe K, Higuchi T, Kurosawa T, Watanuki M, Satoh H. Changes of blood biochemical values in ponies recovering from hyperlipemia in Japan.. J Vet Med Sci 2006 Apr;68(4):353-9.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.68.353pubmed: 16679726google scholar: lookup
  46. Dunkel B, Mason CJ, Chang YM. Retrospective evaluation of the association between admission blood glucose and l-lactate concentrations in ponies and horses with gastrointestinal disease (2008-2016): 545 cases.. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2019 Jul;29(4):418-423.
    doi: 10.1111/vec.12851pubmed: 31215733google scholar: lookup
  47. Evans DL, Golland LC. Accuracy of Accusport for measurement of lactate concentrations in equine blood and plasma.. Equine Vet J 1996 Sep;28(5):398-402.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03111.xpubmed: 8894538google scholar: lookup
  48. Schulman ML, Nurton JP, Guthrie AJ. Use of the Accusport semi-automated analyser to determine blood lactate as an aid in the clinical assessment of horses with colic.. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2001 Mar;72(1):12-7.
    doi: 10.4102/jsava.v72i1.602pubmed: 11563710google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Cywińska A, Michlik-Połczyńska K, Czopowicz M, Strzelec K, Biazik A, Parzeniecka-Jaworska M, Crisman M, Witkowski L. Correction to: Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters in healthy ponies. BMC Vet Res 2021 Apr 2;17(1):141.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02859-0pubmed: 33810817google scholar: lookup
  2. Matos JI, Pitti L, Parra-Quijano M, Arencibia A, Ramírez G, Díaz-Bertrana ML. Integrative anatomical and two-dimensional ultrasonographic assessment of the heart in Shetland ponies. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1721000.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1721000pubmed: 41624284google scholar: lookup
  3. Wermer K, Korbacska-Kutasi O, Berkecz R, Csupor D, Ágh N, Sztojkov-Ivanov A, Cserhalmi D. Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and its two main phase I metabolites in Connemara ponies. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1599934.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1599934pubmed: 40654508google scholar: lookup
  4. Didkowska A, Klich D, Anusz K, Wojciechowska M, Kloch M, Perlińska-Teresiak M, Bielecki W, Olech W. Determination of hematological and biochemical values blood parameters for European bison (Bison bonasus). PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0303457.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303457pubmed: 38748744google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,383 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.