Laboratory Services

Our in-house laboratory team process blood samples, tracheal washes, and faecal worm egg counts, allowing us rapid access to results so we can respond quickly to emergency cases. More specialised tests are sent to external laboratories for processing.

Blood samples

Haematology – counting and examining red and white blood cells to assess hydration and immune system function.

Biochemistry – measuring levels of tissue enzymes to check for muscle damage, organ function and immune system function

Foal IgG tests – checking that foals have had enough colostrum (first milk) to have absorbed sufficient levels of maternal antibodies. Foals are born without any of their own antibodies and have to rely on antibodies transferred through colostrum for immune defence against infectious diseases in the first few months of life

Tracheal Washes

Saline washes taken from the trachea during endoscopy are analysed to count different cell types in order to differentiate inflammation from infection. The samples can also be sent for culture and sensitivity in cases of respiratory infection.

Faecal worm egg counts (WECs)

Adult worms in the intestine shed eggs into the faeces, which allows us to use a faecal worm egg count to assess worm burden.

How to collect a faecal sample for a worm egg count
1. Collect first thing in the morning, so the sample is fresh. The older a sample is, the more likely it is that any eggs in the sample will hatch, falsely reducing the egg count.
2. Pack the sample into a small pot (available free from equine reception and by prior arrangement from our branch surgeries), pressing down to exclude air. The presence of oxygen encourages eggs to hatch, again falsely reducing the egg count.
3. Bring the sample to the Hook Norton Farm Shop as soon as possible – if you are delayed, please keep the sample refrigerated to inhibit egg hatching. Unfortunately, we cannot accept samples into our branch surgeries. If possible, please bring samples before 12 pm so that there is sufficient time for the Laboratory Team to process the sample while it is still fresh. The lab also processes samples for our busy Small Animal and Farm departments as well as Equine!

Large batches of samples
If possible, we ask that samples be dropped off before 12 pm. We ask that no more than 10 samples be brought in at one time to ensure that they are all processed while they are still fresh. Aged samples can give falsely low results and may miss an opportunity to treat a horse with a heavy worm burden. However, if you have more than 10 samples to drop off, a quick call to our Reception Team is appreciated so we can forwarn the lab!