Page 1074 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

These cells are also known as leucocytes; they defend the body against infection. There are

five different types:
VetBooks.ir • neutrophils (also called polymorphs)

•
lymphocytes
• eosinophils
• monocytes

• basophils.

PLATELETS

Platelets play an important part in the clotting mechanism of blood.

All the above components are suspended in a fluid known as plasma.

Haematology

Haematology is the study of blood. It includes the following measurements.

PCV – PACKED CELL VOLUME

This is the percentage volume of whole blood that is taken up by the red blood cells.

RBC – RED BLOOD CELL COUNT

This is a measure of the number of red cells in the circulation. It is measured as the number
12
of red blood cells ×10 per litre of blood.

Hb – HAEMOGLOBIN

This is a measure of the amount of oxygen-carrying pigment in the blood. It is measured in
grams per decilitre g/dL ( litre).

MCV – MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME

This is the average volume of the red blood cells.

MCHC – MEAN CORPUSCULAR HAEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION

This is a measure of the average concentration of haemoglobin in the red blood cells.

MCH – MEAN CORPUSCULAR HAEMOGLOBIN