Complete blood count and biochemistry reference intervals for healthy adult sheep in the northeastern United States

Vet Clin Pathol. 2022 Mar;51(1):119-125. doi: 10.1111/vcp.13059. Epub 2022 Feb 27.

Abstract

Background: Reference intervals (RIs) for routine clinicopathologic data in sheep are sparse. The authors sought to establish hematologic and biochemical RIs from a varied ovine population to improve data interpretation for small ruminant veterinarians.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to establish ovine CBC and biochemistry reference intervals by sampling 120 healthy adult sheep, both male and female, from a variety of breeds, located in the Northeastern United States.

Methods: One hundred and eighteen sheep were included in the CBC RI and 121 sheep were included in the biochemistry panel RI.

Results: RIs for 42 CBC and biochemistry analytes were established in accordance with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Conclusions: These RIs are provided to assist small ruminant veterinarians with the interpretation of CBC and biochemistry panel results in sheep.

Keywords: clinical chemistry; domestic; hematology; ovine; small ruminants.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Cell Count / veterinary
  • Female
  • Hematology*
  • Male
  • New England
  • Reference Standards
  • Reference Values
  • Sheep
  • United States