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Discussion on Is he borderline anemic?
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Member:
sondra
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2009 - 8:04 pm:
Dear Dr. O, what do you think of this particular instance in a 7-yr WB gelding? He is a jumper but generally on the lethargic side, and I've always chalked that up to his personality. Also, he's always been low normal on his blood counts. About 2 weeks ago he had a bout with fever 103.5, and my vet administered 4 days of oxytet IV. He fully recovered. He is turned out in a pasture with lots of ticks, so I thought maybe it was erlichia but he tested neg. My vet also took a CBC which revealed that he was low both on his WBC but alarmingly especially his RBC, which was 4.39 with the lab's normal range being 5.0 to 10.0. We retook blood 10 days later with the following results:
AT REST (I've indicated the lab's normal ranges on the right column):
WBC: 4.46 (L) 5.0 - 10.0
RBC: 6.35 (L) 6.8 - 12.9
HGB: 10.8 (L) 11 - 19
HCT: 33.8 32 - 53
MCV: 53.2 37 - 59
Platelets: 74 70 - 750
Lymphocytes: 32 15 - 50
EOS: 2 0-5
ABS Lymphocytes: 1.410 (L) 1.5 - 7.0
Total Protein: 6.80 5.5 - 7.6
AFTER 15 MINUTES UNDER SADDLE (TROT, CANTER):
WBC: 5.19 5.0 - 10.0
RBC: 7.75 6.8 - 12.9
HGB: 13.6 11 - 19
HCT: 41.5 32 - 53
MCV: 53.5 37 - 59
Platelets: 86 70 - 750
Lymphocytes: 33 15 - 50
EOS: 2 0-5
ABS Lymphocytes: 1.740 1.5 - 7.0
Total Protein: 7.00 5.5 - 7.6
I realize that all the low counts grew into normal (if low normal) range after excercise, but... do you think that the increase in the values look sufficient to say this is simply a horse who stores what is needed in the spleen until worked? Or do you think that the horse is borderline anemic and should be at least given a supplement such as Lixotinic to see if it boosts things? The horse in question is healthy though always a little on the lethargic side, as I mentioned. He's regularly dewormed on an 8-week rotation. He is equivocal on his Lyme Elisa with a negative Western Blot. He has a shiny coat and healthy hooves. I'm wondering about ulcers, though he was neg. on the Succeed snap test (I know that's not definitive). I have read your article on anemia but am still interested in your thoughts on this case. Many thanks for any input you may have!
Edited to add: I also observed that his gums seem a bit on the pale side.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 7, 2009 - 9:57 am:
Sondra, the above red blood cell mass is perfectly acceptable and would not be a cause of lethargy. Concerning the Succeed test a negative is pretty definitive that you do not have serious ulcers, it is a positive that is open to interpretation.
Let me ask you, do you have a history with TB's, I often find those who move from TB's to WB's consider many of them a "bit lethargic".
DrO
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Member:
sondra
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 7, 2009 - 10:23 am:
Thanks Dr. O. I've ridden and worked with both TB's and WB's for many years, and this horse is actually half TB - hard to believe! In any case I'm glad to hear you find his blood levels to be acceptable. Perhaps he's just not that motivated to work. Great. 
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