HEMATOLOGIC REFERENCE VALUES OF FOALS IN THE 1ST 2 MONTHS OF LIFE

Hematologic reference values were established in 18 healthy foals in t he first two months of life. Blood samples were collected prior to col ostrum consumption and at 30 hours, 1 week, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks of age . PCV, Hb and RBC decreased during the first week and RBC, but not PCV and Hb, increased toward the end of the second month. With the except ion of the sample at 1 week, the foals had mean RBC values significant ly higher than those of controls. Mean MCV and MCH did not change duri ng the first week, but decreased slightly thereafter; all means were s maller than in controls. The numbers of neutrophils increased mainly d uring the first week, and the numbers of lymphocytes increased gradual ly during the first two months. The mean N:L-ratio was highest at 1 we ek and lowest at 5 weeks.