Reference intervals for cavity fluids

Cell count (x 10⁹/L)

Protein concentration (g/L)

Differential cell count

Peritoneal fluid

Dogs and cats         0 - 3

Horses                    0 - 10

Cows                      0 - 20

10 - 25

Mononuclear cells and neutrophils

Pleural fluid

0-3

10 - 25

Mononuclear cells and neutrophils

Synovial fluid

0-3 (large joints)

0-2 (small joints)

10 - 25

Mononuclear cells, neutrophils <10%

CSF

Dogs, cats <0.003

Horses, cows <0.008

Dogs, cats <0.30 g/L

(cisternal), <0.45 g/L

(lumbar)

Horses 0.29-0.79 g/L

Cows 0.11-0.33 g/L

Mononuclear cells