:

. .
.
.
.
.

) (

):(WCC
.

.
:

.
:
. :

:
.

:

:
.
D.
.
- .

:
.
.

:

. .
. ) (haemolysed
.

:
.
. .

Blood Tests
Your horse may have a blood sample taken for a number of reasons, including illness, monitoring
response to treatment and general health or fitness checks. Blood can be tested for many different
substances. This guide aims to explain what things are being measured and what abnormal results may
mean.
Reference ranges are often supplied, indicating the normal values of measurement for a horse. These
values are often for the average horse so naturally some horses will fall outside these brackets without
any significance. Results should all be interpreted with reference to the other results as many of the
things measured have direct effects on one another.

Red Blood Cells

A number of measurements can be made with regard to red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the horse

White Blood Cell Count (WCC) This is the total number of white blood cells in the blood.
Increases in the WCC (leukocytosis) are most commonly a result of bacterial or viral infection
the white blood cells with the greatest responsibility for managing the immune system.

Platelets
Platelets have a number of important functions such as blood clotting and the release of various beneficial
chemicals at the site of injuries.

Biochemical Tests
Substances that are measured in a sample of your horse's blood may indicate the function of specific organs
or metabolic pathways.
Urea Urea is produced in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Elevated levels may signify kidney disease
but may also occur with dehydration or fasting.

Electrolytes
Calcium In the blood the majority of this electrolyte is bound to albumin, so levels should be assessed
with reference to albumin levels. Increased calcium levels may be seen in cases of kidney disease, some
cancers and vitamin D poisoning. Low levels may be due to liver disease, inadequate intake or late
pregnancy/lactation.
Chloride This electrolyte is closely associated to sodium, and will usually mirror changes in this. Low
chloride levels are commonly seen in horses following excessive sweating.
Phosphate Low phosphate may be seen in horses with kidney disease or with low dietary phosphate
intake. Low phosphate can be a normal finding in horses where the blood sample has been taken
immediately after exercise.
Potassium Very little of the body's potassium is in the blood, so changes in the blood potassium levels
may not correlate with total body potassium. Low levels are due to potassium loss. This can be through
intestine or kidney disease or through sweating. High levels may be an incidental finding when red blood
cells have broken down (haemolysed) in the sample prior to testing or may be due to muscle damage.
Sodium Low levels commonly indicate loss through excessive sweating, or through kidney or intestinal
disease. Low levels may also be found in young foals with bladder damage. Increased sodium levels are
usually a sign of dehydration.

Overview of " Reading and analysing blood chemistry measures"

DR. Des Leadon.

The following programme will be carried out over three days of lectures and
practical handling and interpretation of samples and results. If there is access to
laboratory then practical sessions will include processing samples.
Day 1:
Morning session:
Blood collection
Sample handing
Processing and Quality Control
The resting haemogram
Normal Ranges and Sequential Sampling
Afternoon:
Practical demonstration on handling and
processing samples.
Day 2:
Morning session:
Factors affecting the resting Haemogram
Exercise
Feeding
Overtraining
The leucogram
Afternoon session:

Clinical Biochemistry.
Individual case studies.
Questions and discussion.
Day 3:
Morning session:

Excitement and Exercise intensity

Overtraining
Poor Performance and Clinical and Sub Clinical Diseases
Organ investigations
Afternoon session:

Specific Diseases
Endocrinology
Assessment of responses to treatments.
Exercise and Biochemistry .
Training related Effects.
Questions and discussion


BRIEF OUTLINE CV:
D.P. Leadon MA, MVB, MSc, FRCVS, DipECEIM
European College & RCVS registered Consultant / Specialist in Equine Medicine.
Clinical Pathology Unit, Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Desmond Patrick Leadon FRCVS, Des has worked in equine practice in Ireland, England,
Australia and Spain. He has provided consultation services in Russia, China, Italy, France and
many other countries and has been involved in equine clinical research for over 30 years.
es graduated as a veterinarian from Trinity College Dublin in 1975. He returned there and was
awarded his Master of Science degree by thesis. He subsequently joined the world famous
equine specialist practice of Rossdale and Partners in Newmarket and was awarded the degree
of Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London, by thesis, in 1982.
He returned to Ireland to equine practice in Co. Meath before joining the then newly
established Irish Equine
Centre in 1984. The Irish Equine Centre is Irelands independent equine diagnostic and research
laboratory.
Des is Head of Clinical Pathology at the Centre and a member of its Management Committee.
He is an external lecturer for the Equine Science course at the University of Limerick and is an
Honorary Faculty Member of the Veterinary Sciences School at University College Dublin.
He is both a European College and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Registered Consultant
/ Specialist in Equine Medicine.
He has served as President of both the British Equine Veterinary Association (1993-1994) and
the World Equine Veterinary Association (2001-2006). He continues to serve the Past Presidents
Advisory Committee of the World Equine Veterinary Association (2006 to date). He is a Founding
Diplomate and former Vice-President of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (2002
to 2008). He served an initial term as the International Director of the American Association of
Equine Practitioners (2009 to 2011) and was then invited to serve a second term (2011 to 2012).

 He has published 74 reports in the equine scientific literature, in text books and in lay
publications and has made more than 200 presentations at national and international equine
scientific meetings.
His special interest areas include the problems inherent in transporting horses long distances
by air, the spread of infectious disease and Rhodococcus equi.
He has recieved research funding grants from organisations that include the International
League for the Protection of Horses, The International Equestrian Federation, The Hong Kong
Jockey Club and Irelands National Development Plan, Department of Agriculture and the Irish
Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
Des is a pre-race inspector for the International Racing Bureau (for the Hong Kong
International Races) and acts as an Advisor and as an Arbiter in insurance case disputes for
Lloyds Underwriters.
He is Veterinary Advisor to the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA), Chairman of
the Veterinary Advisory Committee of the European Throughbred Breeders Association
(EFTBA) and Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Committee of the International
Thoroughbred Breeders Federation (ITBF).
He was appointed to both the Equine Liaison Group of the Department of Agriculture and the
Veterinary Medicines Committee of the Irish Medicines Board in January 2011.
Des breeds thoroughbred racehorses near Punchestown in County Kildare and was presented
with the Outstanding Contribution to the Thoroughbred Industry Award by the Irish
Thoroughbred Breeders Association in January 2014.