HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE QUARTER HORSE

HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE QUARTER HORSE

HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE QUARTER HORSE
FROM MEXICO
Ned I. de la Cruz-Hernández1, Jorge L. Zertuche-Rodríguez1, Gloria A. Morón-García2,
Yara F. Villarreal-Zorrilla1, Gerardo H. Flores-Gutiérrez2∗
Introduction: In horses, the hematological reference values vary depending on breed,
age, sex and rearing conditions. However, few studies have been carried out to
determine these parameters by breed, including the Quarter Horse. Objective: To
determine the hematological values Quarter Horse from Mexico. Methods: The survey
was carried out from January 2005 to January 2007 in the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico,
including 205 apparently healthy Quarter Horses (59 females and 146 males; one to 15
years old), which were fed with forage. Whole blood samples were obtained from these
horses in order to determine range values of red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin
concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell count (WBC).
Results: The range of hematological parameters of the studied Quarter Horses was as
follows: RBC 3.45-11.81 x 106/µl, Hb 4.6-18.0 g/dl, PCV 14-54%, WBC 3.15-15.65 x
103/µl. Discussion: There is a lack of studies concerning the normal hematological
parameters of horses; to the best of our knowledge, this is the second study conducted in
Quarter Horses. Conclusions: Although the horses included in the study were apparently
healthy, some of the determined hematological parameters appeared altered. These
changes in the values could be due to food-deficiencies or subclinical infections.
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Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México
UAM Reynosa-Aztlán, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México
∗ Presenter: G.H. Flores-Gutiérrez. UAM Reynosa-Aztlán, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. Calle
16 y Lago de Chapala s/n. Colonia Aztlán. CP 88740, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México. e-mail:
[email protected]
** The publication of this abstract was supported in full by the Fondo Mixto de Fomento a la
Investigación Científica y Tecnológica CONACYT - Gobierno del Estado de Tamaulipas (México).
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