Plasma, red blood cell, total blood, and extracellular fluid volumes in healthy horse foals during growth.

During the growth interval encompassing age 2 days through 24 weeks, plasma, RBC, total blood, and extracellular fluid (ECF) volumes were determined in 7 healthy, resting foals. Evans blue dye and sodium thiocyanate were used to estimate plasma and ECF volumes, respectively. Absolute plasma volume remained stable from 2 days through 2 weeks of age, then increased progressively through 24 weeks of age. After decreasing between 2 days and 2 weeks of age, absolute RBC and total blood volumes progressively increased. Absolute ECF volume increased progressively from 2 days of age through 24 weeks of age, but plasma, RBC, and total blood volumes decreased relative to body weight increase. During the first 12 weeks of life, ECF volume decreased relative to body weight increase, and then remained stable during the next 12 weeks. There were close correlations between age, as well as body weight, and plasma, RBC, total blood, and ECF volumes. The relationship defined between age and the respective fluid and blood volumes provided a useful tool for evaluation and management of alterations of fluid balance in the foal.