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  Discussion on Anemia in an old pony
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Member:
Npruitt

Posted on Friday, Feb 27, 2004 - 2:07 pm:

I have written about my thirty year old pony Gaylord under the Gastrointestinal section because he has had chronic diarrhea for almost two years now, and no matter what we do, he still has it, so we are just trying to make him comfortable and trying to control the diarrhea the best we can.
This past week, the vet came out because Gaylord was laying down when my friend went out to feed him at 4:30am. She had to get him up to eat, and then when she came home to feed around 6:30pm, he was lying down again, although he did get up and eagerly ate his food, although he did not eat hungerly the following morning. That afternoon, the vet came out and did a physical exam, taking a Diff/chem panel, and took his temperature. His tempature was normal, and his gut sounds were good, as well as his gums. We have been giving him a four shots of penicillian daily, though, because the vet heard some rattling in his left lung. So, the vet thinks that he has bronchitis, and he thinks the penicillian should help.

Gaylord has been eating ok again but, he has begun to lose weight, even though we are giving him corn oil and equine senior. I asked the vet when he came if he thought the weight loss was for the diarrhea, or the harsh winter we have been having, and the vet said it could be a little of both.

I have begun to suspect something else though, because we got his blood samples back and he had a normal white cell count, but he showed some anemia. We have had a Coggins on him, so we know that it is not Equine Infectious Anemia. We have also been giving him red cell since he has been at my friend's barn.

I read your article and I noticed that you said that weight loss can be caused by anemia, and that wild onions can cause it. Lately, Gaylord has had onion breath, because there are wild onions in his pasture, and I assume that he has been eating them. Could this be causing the anemia, and thus the weight loss? And, what can I do, besides pulling up the wild onions, to combat the anemia? Would an increase in red cell do the trick?

Thanks.

Nicole Lopez-Pruitt
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 27, 2004 - 3:33 pm:

No the Red Cell will probably not help if the onions are causing lysis you should mow them. It does take a lot of them to cause problems however. If uncertain you should mow them.

The anemia is more likely secondary to the weight loss not the other way around. The best way to address the weight loss (and therefore possibly the anemia), is explained at Care for Horses » Routine Care & Procedures » Geriatric Horse: Problems and Care.
DrO
Member:
Frankdun

Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2004 - 1:49 am:

Dr. O

Along this thread; have a 23 year old gelded quarter-horse who, according to Vet after having drawn blood, is anemic. Blood work also suggested some minor decrease in kidney funtion, but she is working that down as of this post.
Reason blood was drawn in first place was that horse (Jake) was showing signs of loose stool, and was passing more than a normal amount of gas.
Jake was on Isoprox for arthritis, but she took him off as she stated that it may be irratating digestive system. Also, Vet did take fecal sample and found elevate tape worm but other wise normal parasite count. Read some of the literature posted on subject of equine anemia and none of the listed suspects seem to apply. He was however inactive prior to blood being drawn. So maybe your lead in on storage in splean accurate. Pending diagnosis, if there is one, other than possibly Isoprox and Tape Worm combination, Vet recommended a supplement. Blood something; or something blood; I know the stuff as I have seen it and it is foul and stinks. There is no way that Jake will eat it. Is there another product you would recommend as a supplement??

Frank
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2004 - 12:21 pm:

Before spending hard earned cash on supplement let's make sure it is necessary. What was the PCV (or it may have been called HCT} and the hemoglobin? Also what is the horses overall condition and how is the quality of the forage and are you giving any vitamins?
DrO
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