[RC] anemic? - David & Vicki Wheeler
Ok, I've searched the archives & found several posts where folks were
concerned that their horses were anemic. The consensus was RBC alone does
not determine anemia. Sarah Ralston, TI, & Susan G had posts that
mentioned a fit horse would store red blood cells in their spleens, keeping
the RBC down. But do I have anything to worry about?
My problem: 5yo gelding, with low HGB & HCT with low-normal RBC. I
started doing annual blood work in 2001, so I have 3 values for you guys.
1/01 1/02 7/02
---- ---- ----
RBC 8.54 7.04 6.95
HGB 13.2 10.9 10.9
HCT 38.8 33.6 33.7
1/02 & 7/02 results from same lab. Have had him on Lixotinic since
Jan. As you can see, retest showed no improvement. We weren't really
concerned after the 1/01 or 1/02 tests, because he had just gone through
growth spurts. This is a big boy -- almost 16h, 8.25" canon, 1100# (sounds
like a dressage horse, huh?). He has never been off his food. All other
values from the blood work look good.
This horse shows no signs of any health problem. The dressage trainer says
he now looks like a dressage pony (too much body, IMHO). He is *lacking*
on impulsion in the arena at a walk (but we are doing laterals), but has
plenty of spunk at the trot & out on the trail. When he gets tired on the
trail, he drags. We've only been doing LSD conditioning since spring.
I don't want to jeopardize his health. The vet requested that we up the
Lixotinic to 2oz daily & add Strongid daily (although no one thinks this
horse has a parasite problem). I rotate wormers & do a Panacur Purge both
spring & fall.
Your wisdom & experience is appreciated! TIA
Vicki & Spellbinder
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