Greyhounds have several hematologic variables that are outside of the respective reference intervals of other dog breeds. In addition, increases in HCT, total protein and HGB concentration, and RBC and WBC counts occur immediately after exercise; these values return to resting values within a few hour after racing.
This study evaluated the effects of exercise on the concentration of reticulocytes in circulating blood in racing Greyhounds. We hypothesized that reticulocyte numbers are significantly increased immediately after a race, and return to baseline within one to 2 h postrace.
Horvath, S.J., Couto, C.G., Yant, K., Kontur, K., Bohenko, L., Iazbik, M.C., Marín, L.M., Hudson, D., Chase, J., Frye, M. and DeNicola, D.B. (2014), Effects of racing on reticulocyte concentrations in Greyhounds. Vet Clin Pathol, 43: 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/vcp.12113