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OJVRTM

Online Journal of Veterinary Research©

Volume 10 (2) : 202 - 218, 2006

Reference ranges and clinical pathology indices for military working dogs

Cooper MF^1,
§, Serwon HA², Fradkin JM³, Lockwood HN⁴

¹Air Force Research Laboratory/Human Effectiveness Directorate, Veterinary Sciences, Brooks City Base, Texas, 78235 ²Alaska District Veterinary Command, Ft. Wainwright AK 99703-7470 ³ San Antonio Veterinary Referral Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78251 ⁴DoD Military Working Dog Center, Epidemiology Section, Lackland AFB, Texas, 78236

ABSTRACT

Cooper MF, Serwon HA, Fradkin JM, Lockwood HN Reference ranges and clinical pathology indices for military working dogs, Online J Vet Res 10 (2) : 202 - 218, 2006. The military working dog has a long history dating back to World War I. SGT. Stubby, Rin-Tin-Tin, and Chips are some of the more famous animals who have played an integral part as force protection assets within the Department of Defense. As part of their well-animal care, complete blood counts (CBC) and serum chemistry screenings are commonly performed by veterinarians as part of routine diagnostic evaluations or as screening tools. Valid laboratory test results can be among the most valuable components of the diagnostic process, while invalid test results can be among the most confusing. Reference intervals are needed to provide the basis for comparison with laboratory test values obtained from sick animals and may be used to evaluate the state of health of animals and assist in decision making in clinical medicine. The conditions under which the reference intervals are collected should be completely described and standardized, according to the intended use. The objective of this pilot study is to establish reference intervals for clinical pathology indices for complete blood counts and serum chemistries for the Belgian Shepherd Dog and German Shepherd Dog. These intervals will aid in the overall health assessment and care of future military working dogs. This study identifies clinical pathology reference intervals from a population of clinically normal Belgian Shepherd Dogs and German Shepherd Dogs from the military working dog population.

Keywords: CBC, Serum Chemistry, Reference Range, Military Working Dog, Belgian Shepherd Dog, German Shepherd Dog.

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