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RE: [RC] Help for Anemic Horse - Update with second vet opinion - Christina Schiro

I'm getting private emails with a WIDE range of opinions - thank you, but now I'm even more confused!!!
 
In the meantime, someone had asked for more CBC results, so here are some more from data Ice's 02/16/08 blood work. BTW, blood work has never been done of him since I bought him in 02/2005.
 
MCV: 46 (range is 34-58)
MCH: 16.9 (range is 12-19)
MCHC: 36.7 (range is 31-39)
Neutrophils, Bands, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils are in normal range. But Lymphocytes are low at 1408 (range is 1500-7700)
Selenium is 0.152 Ppm (test didn't say what range was supposed to be, but I think normal is 1-3 Ppm?)
Calcium: 10.5 (range is 10.8-13.5, but vet said above 10 is ok)
CPK: 346 (range is 100-300, but vet said below 1,000 is ok)
Everything else was in normal range

Christina Schiro <christina@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 06:22:29 -0800 (PST)
From: Christina Schiro <christina@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Help for Anemic Horse - Update with second vet opinion
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I emailed another vet with a copy of my horses' test results (BTW - she has been a ride vet a couple of times - not sure if that matters?). The vet wrote back the following:
"This degree of anemia is statistically insignificant and just about normal for athletic horses.  The red cell parameters are normal.  I would put him on Red Cell or Lixotinic (horses tend to prefer Red Cell).  I'd go for double the dose for 2 weeks then regular dose for 2 weeks then recheck.  If worsening then do more work.  Anemia evaluation requires bone marrow and horse's don't appreciate it's collection therefore, treat first  
Blood work to evaluate cell populations should never be taken after exercise as the spleen can release up to 30% of the normal red cell number.  
Treatment with holistic herbs is about useless in a large animal.
Toxic plants don't cause anemia. 
Hope that helps."


Christina Schiro christina@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
My horse, Ice, is a soon-to-be 16 yo Arabian gelding. Owned since 02/2005 and we have been doing middle-of-the pack 25 & 30's since then (about 6-7 rides a year). We did one 55 last September. I would say our conditioning program is conservative also - if anything, I would need to bump it up to be more "competitive". Ice has never had any metabolic issues during competition or otherwise. I train with a heart rate monitor.
 
I had a CBC, Basic Equine Screen, and Selenium test done for the first time - just to get a base line and on the suggestion of another endurance rider whose does a CBC once a year.
 
Results came in last week. Of concern were the following low scores:
RBC: 6.08 (range is 5.5-12.5)
WBC: 4.4 (range is 5.5-12.5)
Hemoglobin: 10.3 (11.0-17.0)
Hematocrit: 28.1 (32.0-50.0)
The condition/quality of existing WBC's and RBC's is great, he's just not producing enough.
 
My vet says Ice is "Slightly anemic - start Red Blood Cell Builder. Recheck Blood County in 60 days". My vet knows that I use Ice for distance riding competitions.
 
An appointment is set for 60 days to take more blood, and after comparing the incredients of Farnan's Red Cell and Finish Line's Iron Power, I ordered Iron Power. When it arrives I will be starting Ice on the recommended dosage.
 
MY QUESTIONS FOR RIDECAMP:
 
1) Is there any risk giving an endurance horse (versus a pleasure horse or horse in a different discipline) a red blood cell builder?
2) Regarding red cell blood builders: are those considered "oxygen carriers", which is a prohibited substance under Appendix B.15 of the AERC drug policy?
3) Any suggestions or something else I should consider?
 
Christina Schiro
Pensacola, FL