H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
ANAEMIA IN HORSES WHAT IS IT?
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naemia is when the number of circulating red blood cells in the bloodstream is lower than normal. The normal ‘packed cell volume’ (PCV) in horses is 32-52%. Packed cell volume measures the percentage of fluid in the blood vessels taken up by red blood cells. The range for packed cell volume is so wide because red cell count is influenced by the age and breed of the horse.
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For example, ‘hot blooded’ horses like Thoroughbreds have a higher PCV than ‘cold blooded’ horses like Clydesdales. An individual horse will have a narrow range of normal values specific to its age and breed. Red blood cells are essential as they carry oxygen to all the cells of the body. Therefore, clinical signs of anaemia are related to the fact that cells and organs in
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