[Determination of hematologic and blood chemical reference values in fattening pigs of different ages].

In swine medicine, the determination of hematology and blood chemistry parameters is of primary interest in connection with the detection of herd problems. For the evaluation of laboratory results the availability of reference values is a prerequisite. So far, no reference values of fattening pigs have been available in Switzerland. For this reason, in the present study reference values for hematology and blood chemistry were determined for two bodyweight categories, 40-60 kg (group 1) and 85-110 kg (group 2). Hematocrit, hemoglobin and RBC counts were lower in animals in group 1. The number of segmented neutrophils was markedly higher in group 1. Lymphocyte counts exceeded neutrophil values in both groups. Concentrations of total bilirubin, AST, CK and LDH partly reached very high levels due to hemolysis or contamination of the blood samples with muscle tissue.