Seasonal Variations of Haematological and Biochemical Parameters Associated with Potential Laminitis in Apparently Healthy Horses

Abstract

Early detection of laminitis in horses is valuable as it provides information that can be used as a basis for advice to trainers of race and performance horses. The study was aimed to determine the seasonal variations in haematological and biochemical parameters of horses developing laminitis at Polo Club Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria. A total of 18 horses were sampled during the dry season (February) and rainy season (July). The horses sampled were aged between 3 and 8 years. The hoof temperature, weight, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total and differential leucocyte counts, glucose level and fibrinogen concentration were determined using standard methods. The mean hoof temperature of the horses was 36.1± 0.11oC and 35.6 ± 0.2 oC during the dry and rainy season respectively. The mean body weight of the horses was 323 ± 8.90 kg in dry season while that of rainy season was 330 ± 11.0 kg. Glucose concentration during the dry season (71.6 ± 1.5 dl/mg) was significantly lower (P ˂ 0.05) than that obtained during the rainy season (91.7 ± 1.9 dl/mg). Furthermore, the PCV, RBC count and Hb concentration were significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) in the rainy season than the corresponding parameters in the dry season. Similarly, the total leucocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) during the rainy season than the dry season. It was concluded that variations on the parameters determined may aid to identify early warning signs of laminitis.