Overview

• Granulocytic leukocyte; major function is phagocytosis within tissues.
• Neutrophilia (increase in circulating neutrophils) can be induced by physiologic and pathologic processes.
• The number of circulating neutrophils is a balance between those released from the bone marrow and those which leave the circulation by crossing the vascular epithelium.
• Neutrophil morphology can be very helpful in determining the presence of bacterial infection.
• Leukemoid response, neutrophilia over 25 x10^3/ul, with or without left shift (ie band cells) generally indicative of severe suppurative disease as leukemia is rare in the horse.

Sampling

Tests

Methodologies

• Stained blood smear   Blood smear  . Differential leukocyte count.

Result Data

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.
• Harvey J W et al (1991) Hematology of foals up to one year old. Equine Vet J 16 (4), 347-353 PubMed.