Hematology and Clinical Pathology Data in Chronically Starved Horses

Hematology and serum/plasma biochemistry are important diagnostic aids to assess metabolic status in starved horses and to rule out pathologic conditions that present as emaciation. This article reviews the interpretation of these parameters, using 10 chronically starved horses as examples. The study was conducted on these 10 neglected horses belonging to both sexes, aged between 4 and 25 years. The animals were divided into two groups according to their body condition scoring (BCS): A (n = 6; BCS of 3 or lower) and B (n = 4; BCS higher than 3). A complete clinical examination was carried out, and venous blood samples were taken to perform hematological, biochemical, and serological determinations. The findings indicated that the most emaciated horses (group A) presented normocytic normochromic anemia, with higher numbers of both immature and mature neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils, and lower number of lymphocytes. Furthermore, horses in group A showed lower serum concentrations of urea, triglycerides, bile acids, alkaline phosphatase, and a lower urea/creatinine ratio. Both groups of horses presented with hypomagnesemia. In conclusion, the knowledge of the laboratorial findings in emaciated horses is useful in scoring the intensity of the emaciation, and in establishing a prognosis and a plan to recover the health status of these animals.