Re: RC: Hematocrits

["C.M.Newell" <reshan@deyr.ultranet.com>]

At 06:51 AM 11/9/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Here is a question for the vets:
>
>Would you expect a horse's resting (pre-ride) packed cell volume to change
>with conditioning?
>If so, would measurements of  PCV have any value in evaluating which horses
>are fitter than others?
>

	IMHO, PCV is not a reliable indicator of fitness in the healthy horse. The
spleen of the horse has the capability to act as a giant sponge, and hold a
significant number of RBC. When needed, it can contract and send them into
the circulation. When resting, you will not get an accurate reflection of
the splenic reservoir on a PCV.
	I suppose you could pop a paper bag and then draw the blood--I've been
able to raise PCV's significantly by just chasing a difficult to catch
horse around a paddock <G>.
	(I did a research project on radiolabelling RBC while in school...)
				--CMNewell, DVM


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