Equis ISSN 2398-2977

Blood: erythrocyte count (RBC)

Synonym(s): RBC

Contributor(s): Kathleen P Freeman, Frank Taylor

Overview

Red blood cell count is a measure of the number of circulating red cells.
Measured in (RBC) numbers x 10*12/l or 10e9/ul.
Normally evaluated using automated cell counters.
Variation between different breeds and types (also variation within types).
Spleen normally retains 30% of RBC in a resting horse but these can be quickly released on exercise or excitement (including blood sampling!).
Number of circulating red cells very labile.

Sampling

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Tests

Methodologies

Normally automatic cell counters used. Manual counting method using hemoccytmeter can be used if automated equipment is not available.

Availability

Widely available at commercial laboratories.
In-hospital testing.

Validity

Specificity

'Hot-blooded' breeds (eg Arabians Arab and Thoroughbreds Thoroughbred ) have higher RBC parameters than 'cold-blooded' breeds, eg native ponies New Forest Pony Dartmoor Pony Shetland Pony and draught horses Irish Draught . Vales for 'warm bloods' or crossbreeds may lie between lie between.

Technique (intrinsic) limitations

Significant differences between ages (foal vs adult), breeds and types.
Variation follows a normal distribution curve.
Some normal individuals will have apparently abnormal results (and vice versa).
Always interpret results in the light of clinical exmination.

Result Data

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
Barrelet A (2004) Laboratory tests in equine practice Part 2: Haematological analyses. UK Vet 9 (8), 13-23.

Other sources of information

Morris D D (1998) Diseases of the hemolymphatic System. In: Equine Internal Medicine. Eds: S M Reed and W M Bayly. W B Saunders, USA. pp 558-601.

Organisation(s)

Veterinary commercial laboratories, State diagnostic laboratories or Veterinary College laboratories.

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