Understanding

veterinary blood

test reports

in horses

What is involved in blood screening in horses?

  • Blood screening is a veterinary assessment method commonly used by horse owners and trainers on race horses and performance horses. However, before understanding what blood tests are and how they can help diagnose ailments in a horse, it is important to be familiar with some of the basics about blood.
  • In most blood tests, a veterinary surgeon simply takes a sample from the jugular vein in the neck which is then examined at a laboratory.
  • Routine blood-screening tests give an indication about a range of diseases, for example pre-export blood testing of horses to ensure they are free of certain diseases.

    • What tests are carried out on blood to assess a horse’s health status?

  • These include tests for assessment of red and white blood cell numbers and function, (haematology) and other tests for organ dysfunction, levels of enzymes, proteins,salts and electrolyte components, (biochemistry). It may also include microbiology (detects organisms in the blood through blood culture) and cytology (the study of cells or clinical pathology).
  • The actual testing process can be done at some veterinary clinics or at a referral laboratory, with results available the same day or within a few days.

    • What are the laboratory fees for Blood Profile Analysis?

  • For a full blood profile (haematology and biochemistry), the fee is approximately €50. However the cost will vary, depending on the number of tests, up to €150. Further, more complex tests, such as for hormonal diseases, can cost more.
  • From the veterinary surgeon’s perspective, the laboratory equipment required to carry out these tests is very expensive.

    • What are the main uses of blood counts and blood analysis in horses?

  • Blood testing is an excellent guide to the general health of a horse and can provide important information. However a blood cannot be interpreted in isolation but in the light of the overall clinical features of the case. This incorporates veterinary clinical examination findings, history and additional testing to aid, confirm or disprove a suspected diagnosis, by the treating veterinary surgeon.
  • In other words, analysis of blood can be a very helpful diagnostic aid for the veterinary surgeon, but it is not a straightforward magic test that always provides simple answers.
  • However while a blood test will not usually give an exact diagnosis, it can at least determine if an organ system is not functioning normally or how the body is responding to an infection.

    • Why do so many trainers request blood analysis before or after racing or performing?

  • A commonly asked question - why did my horse not run to form, or jump or perform to its full capacity - can in many cases (though not all), be answered in blood analysis.
  • For example, a blood test 24 hours after a disappointing effort may show some irregularity, like the onset of an infection.
  • Bloods may not always give the information we are seeking. For example, a pre-race blood test may be fine with all indicators showing good health but it does not guarantee that the horse will perform on the day. The horse could have some underlying problems that do not show up on blood test e.g. the going not suitable that day, sore back, etc.
  • A horse may be racing fit from the point of view of athletic fitness but this should not be confused with general overall health.
  • Many trainers will request a blood to be taken post racing or jumping where there has been poor performance.
  • Basically the eye of an experienced manager/trainer will always be an excellent guide as to the horse’s health and fitness. The horse in its own way indicates when he is well and fit. A blood test will confirm this - when correctly interpreted.

    • Is it better to do a blood analysis or an endoscopic examination as a pre-race/pre-performance check on a horse?

  • Many trainers just request a scope on a horse on the day before racing to check for the presence of any traces of mucus in the horse’s trachea (wind pipe), before declarations.
  • However this only indicates whether or not the horse has a respiratory infection and is not an indicator of its general health or fitness.
  • While respiratory infections are the most common cause of poor performance in racehorses, a blood analysis could show up many other underlying causes of ill health.
  • Therefore a combination of both blood analysis and scoping may be the better option.
  • However it should be remembered that none of these tests are a substitute for good training and management.
  • A further important aspect is in the interpretation of the scoping or of the blood profile, which should preferably be given by your veterinary surgeon who is experienced in this field.

    • What are the functions of blood in the horse’s system?

  • The bloodstream could be considered as the dual carriageway/motorway system of the body, allowing for many things to get around as needed; such as white blood cells to the site of an infection, clotting proteins and repair cells to the site of damaged tissue, proteins of the immune system to where they are needed, and nutrients to be distributed from the stomach and intestine to the rest of the body.

    • Basically the main blood functions include:

  • Transport of nutrients from the stomach and intestines
  • Removal of waste products from the horse’s body
  • Transport of oxygen to the tissues
  • Transport of glandular secretions from the different organs of the horse’s body
  • Balancing of body fluid/water content
  • Body temperature regulation
  • Regulation of acidity in the horse’s body
  • Defence against infection
  • Immunity to disease
  • Allergic reactions