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Blood: erythrocyte count (RBC)
Synonym(s): RBC
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.
Uses
Alone
- Assessment of RBC (erythron).
- In diagnosis and management of anemia Anemia: chronic disease .
In combination
- With PCV Blood: packed cell volume (PCV) to give mean corpuscular volume (MCV) Blood: mean corpuscular volume (MCV) .
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.