title: Age-related variations in hematologic and plasma biochemical test results in Beagles and Labrador Retrievers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate age-related variations in results of hematologic and plasma biochemical tests performed on dogs of 2 common breeds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  34 Beagles and 44 Labrador Retrievers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected throughout the dogs' lives; 589 samples were collected from the Beagles and 964 samples were collected from the Labrador Retrievers (age at the time of sample collection ranged from 22 days to 15 years). White blood cell and RBC counts; hemoglobin concentration; Hct; mean cell volume; mean cell hemoglobin concentration; alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities; and calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, urea, protein, and albumin concentrations were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all tests, there were significant effects of age on test results. There was a significant interaction between age and breed for all tests except hemoglobin, albumin, and phosphorus concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that there were age-related changes in hematologic and plasma biochemical test results in these 2 breeds of dogs. Changes were most evident during the first year of life, reflecting growth and maturation of the puppies. In some instances, values for puppies diverged markedly from those for adults, necessitating the use of age-specific reference ranges for the interpretation of clinical data.
authors: Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 4RT, UK.
authors: E Jean
authors: EJ
authors: Harper
authors: Rachel M
authors: RM
authors: Hackett
authors: Joy
authors: J
authors: Wilkinson
authors: Paul R
authors: PR
authors: Heaton
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001947:Breeding; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values