SAEVA Proceedings 2016 | Page 198

  Clinical Pathology A minimum database of clinical pathology should be obtained to establish a baseline and determine the degree of organ dysfunction. On problem farms or with valuable foals it may be prudent to run blood samples in the apparently healthy foal. The author would advise routinely running a haematology, SAA, fibrinogen, TSP (alb and glob), IgG and creatinine on day 2 of life (>18 hrs of age). Many foal values are different to adult values, and then changing in the first few days, weeks and months of the foal’s life so it is imperative to ensure that the correct reference ranges are used relating to the age of the foal. Laboratory data to consider collecting includes: Haematology Biochemistry (including inflammatory proteins SAA and fibrinogen) Electrolytes IgG levels Blood glucose Blood lactate Blood cultures Urinalysis Faecal culture/toxin assays/ELISA Blood pressure Blood gases Haematology PCV/RBC count - The PCV and Hb values reach adult values by 300 days gestation, then drops over first 2 weeks of life, (influenced by transfer of placental blood flow, catecholamine secretion and fluid balance adjustment (osmotic effect of colostral immunoglobulins)). Low RBC count – premature cord rupture, NIE (often with jaundice) or haemorrhage (can be secondary to ulceration), occasionally immune mediated (can be drug related). Haemoconcentration – dehydration - lack of suckling and/or fluid loss e.g. septicaemia, acute enteritis. WBC count – Although most healthy foals are born with a total WBC count similar to that of adults, there can be a wide normal range. In utero, absolute neutrophil values are low (<1.5 x 10 9/l) upto 300 days of gestation, increasing to a mean of 5.5 by birth. Band neutrophils should be absent in the healthy foal and the importan