Comparative hematological and blood biochemical evaluations in horses infected with Ascaridae and Strongylidae. [M.Sc. thesis] | Uporedna ispitivanja hematoloških i biohemijskih parametara krvi konja inficiranih sa askaridama i strongilidama. Magistarska teza

Infectious larvae of equine parasites: Strongylidae and Ascaridae induce direct or side changes in different tissues and organs of the hosts. In aim to establish the pathological changes induced by larval migration a comparative fecal, hematological and biochemical evaluation of infected horses in natural conditions. The infection was evaluated in a total of 48 horses purebred Nonius divided into 4 groups upon age and the results were compered to those in negative control: represented of long term regulary tested and treated individuals. High intensity and extensity of infection with equine Strongylidae and Ascaridae was established in all evaluated horses. The highest intensity and extensity of Ascaridae was established in foals, while grown and aged animals were not affected whit these parasites. The highest intensity and extensity of Strongylus spp. Infections were established in young and grown horses. The most frequently established Strongylus spp. was S. vulgaris, and the rarest were Trichonema spp. (Cyathostoma spp). Hematology and biochemistry in foals, young, grown and aged horses tested both positive and negative upon fecal examination, revealed no significant differences except the decrease in plateled count (p is less than 0.05) which was established in groups of grown and aged horses. The comparison of hematological parameters between different age groups of horses and negative controls revealed significantly decreased RBC (p is less than 0.05), hemoglobin concentration and highly significant decrease of PCV (p is less than 0.001) as well as a significant increase in WCC (p is less than 0.05). The differential leukocyte count revealed a highly significant increase of percentage of granulocytes and eosinophiles (p is less than 0.001) together with significant decrease in basophil, monocyte and lymphocyte percent (p is less than 0.05). The evaluated hematological and biochemical parameters can be usefull diagnostic tolls in evaluations of the pre-patent period of infection of horses with Strongylus and Ascaris spp while fecal analyze estimate parasitic infection during the patent period.