Methods and compositions for identifying a survivability index for an animal

A method of identifying and mitigating a risk of deathloss of an animal, comprising:

• (a) receiving, at a processor from a hematology analyzer, information obtained from a sample from said animal, wherein said information comprises a leukocyte absolute count, a leukocyte differential, and a maturation status for one or more of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes from said sample, said sample comprising leukocytes;
• (b) analyzing, by said processor, said leukocyte absolute count, said leukocyte differential, and said maturation status for one or more of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes to determine a survivability index for said animal;
• and
• (c) managing the animal based on said survivability index, wherein said managing the animal comprises one or more of:
• moving said animal to a less crowded pen to reduce competition;
• feeding said animal a special diet;
• providing supportive therapy selected from administering analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to said animal;
• expedited harvesting of said animal;
• and
• expedited administration of antibiotics to said animal.