TABLE 1.
Critical number of specimens for estimation of homeostatic set point for selected measurands in dogs, cats, and horses
| Measurand | Species | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Cat | Horse | ||||
| 95% probability | 80% probability | 95% probability | 80% probability | 95% probability | 80% probability | |
| Biochemistry | ||||||
| Albumin | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ALP | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | NA | NA |
| ALT | 8 | 3 | 7 | 3 | NA | NA |
| AST | 4 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Chloride | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Cholesterol | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | NA | NA |
| Creatinine | 6 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Globulin | NA | NA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Glucose | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Calcium | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Magnesium | NA | NA | 2 | 1 | NA | NA |
| Phosphate | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Potassium | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Sodium | NA | NA | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Total Protein | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Triglycerides | 50 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Urea | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| SDMA | 11 | 5 | 18 | 8 | NA | NA |
| GGT | NA | NA | NA | NA | 7 | 1 |
| Hematology | ||||||
| RBC | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Hemoglobin | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Hematocrit | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| MCV | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| MCH | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| MCHC | 2 | 1 | NA | NA | 1 | 1 |
| RDW‐CV | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| WBC | 10 | 5 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Neutrophils | 26 | 11 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| Lymphocytes | 5 | 2 | 25 | 11 | 11 | 3 |
Notes: The critical number of samples for each measurand and species below was calculated using Z factors of 1.96 (representing 95% bidirectional statistical probability) and 1.28 (representing 80% bidirectional statistical probability). Dev = 10% was used for those measurands with CVI > 6.67%. For measurands with CVI < 6.67%, Dev = 1.5 × CVI was used. See formula in text. CVI values used for each measurand and species are from the veterinary biological variation database website. 32
Abbreviations: ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CI, confidence interval; GGT, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; MCH, mean cell hemoglobin; MCHC, mean cell hemoglobin concentration; MCV, mean cell volume; NA, not available for this species; RBC, red blood cell; RDW‐CV, red blood cell distribution width (coefficient of variation); SDMA, symmetric dimethylarginine; WBC, white blood cell.