What is MCHC in blood test for horses?

What is MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration)?

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) – This is the amount of haemoglobin in the circulating blood. Haemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen around the body.

What is the difference between MCH and MCHC?

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) – This is the average amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) – This is the amount of haemoglobin in the circulating blood. Haemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen around the body.

How do you test for liver disease in horses?

The test involves measuring a protein in the blood called serum amyloid A or SAA. Produced by the liver, this protein usually cannot be measured in healthy horses.

What is point-of-care testing for horses?

Point-of-care testing uses whole blood, serum, or plasma, and the test provides immediate results. “This test allows a veterinarian to monitor a sick horse’s response to treatment, as SAA decreases as quickly as it increases when infection and inflammation resolve,” Petroski explained.

What is a stall-side test for horses?

“A stall-side test is now available to detect and monitor inflammation which, in turn, will help answer lingering questions about a horse’s illness,” noted Laura Petroski, B.V.M.S., a veterinarian at Kentucky Equine Research. The test involves measuring a protein in the blood called serum amyloid A or SAA.

What causes anemia in horses?

Anemia in horses may stem from blood loss, red blood cells being eliminated, or the body’s inability to produce red blood cells. Vet bills can sneak up on you.

What does it mean when a horse has high bilirubin?

Heather Smith Thomas of Equus states, “Another indication of liver health is a pigment called bilirubin, which is formed from the breakdown of red blood cells. Elevated levels can mean unusual loss of red cells or liver dysfunction. However, in horses, unlike other animals, elevated levels of bilirubin often isn’t serious.

What is a low RBC and PCV count?

This figure can vary from as low as 24% up to 48%. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count – This is the number of red blood cells in a given volume, typically 1 litre, of blood. A low PCV and RBC count normally indicate anaemia.

How accurate is the SAA test for horses?

For discrimination of CN horses from CA horses, the SAA assay had sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 94% (diagnostic accuracy, 75%); for the other assessments, accuracy ranged from 59% to 62%. Repeated assessment of SAA concentration in some CA horses revealed a gradual return to normal concentrations.

What is an anemia in a horse?

Anemia in Horses. Anemia is classified as regenerative or nonregenerative. In a regenerative anemia, the bone marrow responds appropriately to the decreased number of red blood cells by increasing red blood cell production. Anemias due to bleeding or the destruction of red blood cells are usually regenerative.

What are the causes of anaemia?

Anaemia may be caused by many different causes which may include an increase in destruction of red blood cells due to infection, immune-mediated conditions, blood clots as well as a decrease in production which may be attributable to bone marrow disorders, kidney disease etc…

How do you test for anemia in horses?

A Coggins test will be suggested to rule-out equine infectious anemia. The veterinarian may also suggest aspiration of bone marrow; to check for bone marrow disease or cancer. Treatment of anemia will depend on the diagnosed cause. If anemia is due to acute blood loss, the source of the injury or hemorrhage will need to identified and stopped.

What is a high bilirubin level in a horse?

Bilirubin in a fasted horse may reach as high as 10 or 20, and be associated with obvious yellowing of the eyes and gums, without there being any liver disease.

What does it mean when a horse has albumin in blood?

A horse in this condition would also have obvious neurological disease because of back up of other toxin substances in the blood, particularly ammonia. The horse would also have blood-clotting abnormalities. Albumin is an important protein circulating in the blood.

Can a blood test tell if a horse has liver disease?

Blood chemistry results can be extremely helpful in zeroing in on medical problems, but they often aren’t clear cut. One of the most common findings is elevation in enzymes that could have come from the liver, but this doesn’t always mean the horse has liver disease.

What causes elevated bilirubin in horses?

Bilirubin – Bilirubin, excreted from the liver in bile, may be increased in the horse in cases of anorexia or some liver conditions. Bile acids – These are excreted as bile salts in the bile. Their measurement can be useful in assessing liver function.

What does it mean when a horse has high globulin levels?

Increased globulin levels may be seen when a horse is fighting an infection. When newborn foals have a blood test to ensure adequate colostrum transfer from the mare levels of gamma globulin are measured.

What does a nosebleed look like on a horse?

The blood from this type of nosebleed will be a deep red color and very heavy. If you are at all concerned that your horse could be suffering from a serious condition, a qualified veterinarian should be contacted as soon as practical.

Why does my horse have blood in his nose?

Equine respiratory systems are designed to take in massive amounts of oxygen at the nostrils. This can cause foreign matter to be taken into the horse’s nostrils. Head trauma. A fall or sudden impact on the head of the horse can cause bleeding from the nose.

What does it mean when a horse has a low RBC?

Low normal readings may be normal for individual horses. Others may have a low normal reading because they do not have sufficient building blocks for red blood cells or because they have not been exposed to the right training stimuli to generate extra red blood cell production.

How can you tell if a horse is anemic?

If the veterinarian suspects that your horse is anemic he will recommend a complete blood count (CBS) which determines the red blood count and if there is an infection. A Coggins test will be suggested to rule-out equine infectious anemia.

What is an EIA blood test on a horse?

An EIA (Coggins) blood test is required on horses before most organized events, and for transporting a horse from one state to another. Nearly everyone has dealt with it, but many owners don’t know exactly what it is. The test is a check for equine infectious anemia, a contagious disease that affects horses worldwide.

Why is my horse not producing enough red blood cells?

If a horse’s body isn’t producing enough red blood cells, the result is obviously anemia. The most common cause of reduced red blood cell production is chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is commonly related to conditions such as abdominal or hoof abscesses, cellulitis, pneumonia, and peritonitis.

How long does it take for a horse to recover from anemia?

Causes of chronic blood loss anemia include: Once the cause of blood loss has been identified, treated, and resolved, red blood cell counts will generally return to normal within 2-6 weeks. Blood loss anemia is by far the most common cause of anemia in horses.

What causes bilirubin to increase in liver failure in horses?

Acute liver failure caused by hepatic necrosis results in increases in both indirect and direct bilirubin fractions. In horses with acute liver failure, the increase in bilirubin is primarily because of an increase in the indirect fraction.

What is jaundice in horses?

Jaundice, also known as icterus, is typically associated with an elevation in the level of the pigment bilirubin in the blood (called hyperbilirubinemia). In a healthy adult horse, the serum bilirubin is, in most cases, lower than 2 mg/dl.

Can a horse have hyperbilirubinemia without hemolysis?

Occasionally, persistent hyperbilirubinemia (primarily indirect or unconjugated bilirubin) may be seen in healthy horses (especially Thoroughbreds) without evidence of hemolysis or hepatic disease. In ruminants, icterus is more commonly due to hemolysis and primarily involves increases in indirect bilirubin.