WHEN BLOODWORK MAKES SENSE

Bloodwork for horses isn’t as routine as it is in human medicine, but don’t be surprised if your veterinarian recommends it as part of your horse’s annual exam. Two blood tests are particularly informative and

useful, even in a healthy horse:

A complete blood count (CBC), which quantifies the types of cells in a blood sample, can indicate infection or inflammation.

A serum chemistry panel, which measures levels of various proteins and enzymes, electrolytes and other biochemicals, can indicate overall health as well as individual organ function.

If a CBC suggests a lowered immune response in an older but otherwise healthy horse, for instance, it could be an indicator of early-stage pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Testing for the metabolic condition after questionable bloodwork can help identify PPID and start treatment before more serious and consequential effects---such as laminitis---occur.

Likewise, a serum chemistry panel that reveals elevated liver or kidney enzymes can trigger an investigation into the factors in the horse’s management or environment that might be stressing those organs before longterm damage is done.

Even if bloodwork parameters are normal, the information can be helpful. If your horse becomes ill later on, you can use that information as a baseline. Knowing the last time a sick horse’s bloodwork was normal can be an important clue to the inciting cause and what the prognosis might be.

Of course, if you have a large herd, it probably doesn’t make financial sense to have routine bloodwork done on each one, but if you are risk-averse and have only a few horses, you might decide it is worthwhile to include the tests in an annual wellness visit.

Even if bloodwork parameters are normal, the information can be helpful later on as a baseline.