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  Discussion on Fever with leukopenia and anemia
Author Message
Member:
corinne

Posted on Friday, Sep 19, 2008 - 8:52 am:

Dr O...my horse presented with a fever of 102 on Tuesday morning. Had started to go off of feed the night before. Had 1 GM of Bute on Monday evening and 1 GM of Bute on Tuesday morning because the vet was coming for vaccinations so we attributed that lack of wanting to eat to being mad about the bute. The fever could have potentially been higher but he had already had 2GMs of Bute on board. He was depressed, had inappetance (Sp), decreased water intake, pitting edema in the hinds. Normal manure, slightly decreased urination, Vitals, normal HR, RR of 40, Temp ranging from 100.4-102 for 24 hours. Clear lungs sounds, no nasal secretions, hypoactive guts sounds that then turned hyperactive, glands normal. Mucous membranes were slightly tacky but still pink, cap refill and turgor slightly delayed due to slight dehydration.
Treated with supportive measures, Banamine 10cc IV X2 and continued with 2GMS of Bute Q Day PO, offered electrolytes, feed pulp soaked...etc. encouraged intake etc. Pulses were present on front legs so we iced the feet 3X per day until last evening as a precaution to prevent founder. Seems on the mend, now normal acting, no fever for 24 hours.
Labs indicated Leukopenia with a count of .7 (don't know the parameters of this lab) indicating viral infection but his HCT was 29 as well which the vet said could have been caused by standing which allowed blood to pool in the spleen causing a lower HCT when taken. Sent nasal swabs for PCR. She has treated 7-10 horses in the area (SE VA) and most had the same physical symptoms although more profound, they also had the leukopenia and anemia which seems to resolve as the course of the illness did.
Did the research here on all the virals but can't find one that has leukopenia and anemia. Any guesses? And yes I know it would be a guess....

Forgot to mention he had all vaccinations on the 3rd of March. Got a booster for EWT, and PHF on the second of Sept. as they vaccinate 2X per year here. Was due for West Nile on Tuesday it was held....


Thanks,
Corinne
Member:
nadia

Posted on Friday, Sep 19, 2008 - 9:37 am:

I have no idea what could be wrong, but I thought that there could be major problems with giving bute and banamine concurrently (possible VERY BAD consequences). I think this has been mentioned before in some postings.
Member:
corinne

Posted on Friday, Sep 19, 2008 - 10:18 am:

Goodness I hope not Nadia, it was prescribed to be given by the vet as I don't ever give meds without consulting a vet prior. The Banamine was dosed 12 hours after the Bute then 24 hours after respectively. I sure would hope that the vet is familiar with drug interactions. I think in this case even if there was a risk...ie to kidney or liver, it was weighed against the risk of fever...presumably....

Good to know however....Thanks!

Corinne
Member:
corinne

Posted on Friday, Sep 19, 2008 - 6:06 pm:

Well Dr. O the Herpes is back and is negative...that was done both blood and nasal secretions. EVA is still pending.
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Friday, Sep 19, 2008 - 9:14 pm:

Ahhh Corrine,
Collective prayers from all of us for both you and the pretty, white, tough Arab.

L
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Sep 19, 2008 - 10:12 pm:

I hope that by the time you read this, your boy will be well on his way to recovery. Poor guy! And, poor you.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 10:00 am:

Corrine, the only clear symptoms were depression and mild fever and all other things mentioned can stem from these two. The lab work is suggestive of a mild viral infection which concurs with the mild clinical signs and rapid improvement. There are many possibilities as described in the article on Fever of Unknown Origin but could not begin to guess which one it may have been.
DrO
Member:
lilo

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 12:07 pm:

Corinne - best wishes for a speedy recovery for your horse. Lilo
Member:
jowidner

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 12:15 pm:

Yes Corinne, I hope your boy is better today.
Member:
paardex

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 2:05 pm:

Fingers and hooves are crossed for Demetrius in France[but in full confidence he will have a swift return to work!]
Jos
Member:
shirl

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 2:27 pm:

Corinne,
Sending lots of love, prayers and hopes that all is well today.
Hugs, Shirl
Member:
canter

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 2:28 pm:

Corinne, keeping my fingers crossed that Demetrius makes a speedy recovery!
Member:
corinne

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 6:10 pm:

Thanks Dr O and everyone. Yes he seems to be on the mend. Will let you all know when we get the final results. If everything is negative for virus' it might be a low grade bacterial infection as well the vet said. But on a good note, no more fever, no more pulses in the front legs and his depression seems to be gone. Final labs will be in on Tuesday. Will get another HCT done in a few weeks to monitor the anemia.
Got through his first illness...knock of wood...
Thanks everyone! While he is resting I get to ride another beautiful Arab (half) this week in lessons. He will be off for as least a week and a half since he had the fever for 1 1/2 days but he told the neighboring horse that he doesn't mind the vacation...LOL...really is enjoying his new digs!


v/r
Corinne
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 9:59 pm:

Glad things are looking up, Corrine and hope all goes smoothly from now on. Do let us know. Vicki
Member:
mrose

Posted on Saturday, Sep 20, 2008 - 10:10 pm:

Good news that Demitreus is doing so much better. Did you tell him there are easier ways to get a vacation? Also tell him I apologize for not being able to spell his name!
Member:
scooter

Posted on Sunday, Sep 21, 2008 - 6:40 am:

Corrine glad Demetrius is doing better, he sounds like such a nice horse from your posts. hope he continues to improve.
Member:
jowidner

Posted on Sunday, Sep 21, 2008 - 11:34 am:

Glad to hear the good report. Get well soon Demetrius!
Member:
corinne

Posted on Monday, Feb 23, 2009 - 11:59 am:

Demetrius has presented with luekopenia again (count of three, five being normal) after he had labs drawn for his HMO exam last week. He is afebrile and all other counts are normal, although he has a small worm burden that is being treated. His vet is following him and has recommended a broad spectrum multi vitamen.
I forgot to ask if there are any other precautions we need to take for a horse with low WBCs? For instance I know in human medicine we do reverse isolation. Any recommendations? Ie washing hands before entering stall, before feeding etc. Or is that just not practicle in a barn environment?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Corinne
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009 - 7:43 am:

Corinne a finding of a slightly low WBC count in a normal horse does not have any significance to me and does not require any special treatment. I might repeat the test 30 days later but even then continued low values may be just this horse's normal levels at this time. In particular by itself it does not suggest immune dysfunction.
DrO
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