Urticaria on the neck due to allergic reaction
To reach a diagnosis, many specific examinations may be conducted besides the general clinical examination Laboratory examinations form an important part of the daily equine veterinary practice.
Various analyses are conducted on blood collected into blood tubes with different specifications.Values applicable to the horse's general state of health (hematocrit, leukocyte etc) are measured by means of laboratory blood tests which play a great role in diagnosing conditions and evaluating numerous parameters such as the mineral substance amounts (i.e. calcium, magnesium and iron) in the blood and the liver enzymes. As far as performance problems of sports horses are concerned, blood tests are utilized in addition to other examinations.
Just like in humans, some allergic reactions to various substances and drugs can also be observed in horses. Some horses may be sensitive to different food, sawdust, flies and other drugs such as penicillin.
Suspicious tissue samples collected from the horse's body are examined in pathology labs in order to diagnose the illness or sometimes to find out the cause of death.
The parasites and their eggs which negatively affect the horses' health and which can be found in the feces of horses may be detected by this examination.
Urine tests are conducted with the purpose of diagnosing urinary tract conditions and during doping controls carried out in competitions.
Microbiological examinations are conducted to diagnose infections that are suspected to be bacteria, fungi and virus-related. Samples collected are subjected to various tests and processes depending on the suspected condition and clinical findings. The results may be obtained within a few hours up to a few weeks depending on the method used.
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Bacterial colonies in a culture | Antibiogram test view |
Laboratory examinations are used not only for diagnostic purposes but also as part of doping controls, pre-purchase examinations and legal controls conducted at customs.