1. ECIR | Main
  2. Topics

Help with interpretation of CBC 3-15-16 for Pabatsa

lauramollrich
 

I just received today P's CBC panel.  There are irregularities.  How much of this is IR/Cushing's related?  He is very lethargic, is it IR or couild he be anemic?


Thanks,

Laure in CA

2/2012

ECHistory5
Nancy C
 

Hi Laura

Just a few quick comments.  Need the vets to look at blood work but in general, low grade anemia is not uncommon in older and PPID/IR horses.  That does not mean they need iron supplements.

Lethargy is a very nonspecific symptom, meaning standing on it's own, could mean almost anything.  Last time I balanced for you his salt intake was not what it should have been.  That could contribute to lethargy. You've been reviewing his feet here.  That could contribute to lethargy. 

You are a conscientious Mom so won't go in to deworming, mouth and other issue that could make a horse off.  Just wanted to point out a couple of things recently specific to your case.

Will be working on balancing your new hay this afternoon.  Getting back on a balanced diet should help him too.

Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003
Learn the facts about IR, PPID, equine nutrition, exercise and the foot.
www.ECIRhorse.org
Check out the FACTS on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ECIRGroup
Support the ECIR Group Inc., the nonprofit arm of the ECIR Group
ECIR Group Inc.

 





---In EquineCushings@..., <lauramollrich@...> wrote :

I just received today P's CBC panel.  There are irregularities.  How much of this is IR/Cushing's related?  He is very lethargic, is it IR or couild he be anemic?


Thanks,

Laure in CA

2/2012

ECHistory5
Nancy C
 

Hi Laura

I just read your pm to me re balancing and you have identified another area where lethargy could be a symptom: ulcers.  Since you have treated him with Ulcer guard for a bit and he appeared to see significant improvement, I might be discussing this with my vet too!  Hope he continues to improve.  Wanted to post here just to follow up for those who may have similar issues.


Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003
Learn the facts about IR, PPID, equine nutrition, exercise and the foot.
www.ECIRhorse.org
Check out the FACTS on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ECIRGroup
Support the ECIR Group Inc., the nonprofit arm of the ECIR Group
ECIR Group Inc.

 





---In EquineCushings@..., <threecatfarm@...> wrote :

Hi Laura

Just a few quick comments.  Need the vets to look at blood work but in general, low grade anemia is not uncommon in older and PPID/IR horses.  That does not mean they need iron supplements.

Lethargy is a very nonspecific symptom, meaning standing on it's own, could mean almost anything.  Last time I balanced for you his salt intake was not what it should have been.  That could contribute to lethargy. You've been reviewing his feet here.  That could contribute to lethargy. 


Nancy C
 

PS Laura

I'm not a vet but....

Re: your blood work here is a link an anemia

Anemia in Horses: Blood Disorders of Horses: The Merck Manual for Pet Health

 

You would see low RBC not WBC if he was anemic.


I your PM to me you mention he was given Dormosadan and Bute for 5 days.  Ask your vet if that would affect the platelet count.


Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003
Learn the facts about IR, PPID, equine nutrition, exercise and the foot.
www.ECIRhorse.org
Check out the FACTS on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ECIRGroup
Support the ECIR Group Inc., the nonprofit arm of the ECIR Group
ECIR Group Inc.

 





---In EquineCushings@..., <threecatfarm@...> wrote :

Hi Laura

I just read your pm to me re balancing and you have identified another area where lethargy could be a symptom: ulcers.  Since you have treated him with Ulcer guard for a bit and he appeared to see significant improvement, I might be discussing this with my vet too!  Hope he continues to improve.  Wanted to post here just to follow up for those who may have similar issues.


Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003
Learn the facts about IR, PPID, equine nutrition, exercise and the foot.
www.ECIRhorse.org
Check out the FACTS on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ECIRGroup
Support the ECIR Group Inc., the nonprofit arm of the ECIR Group
ECIR Group Inc.

 





---In EquineCushings@..., <threecatfarm@...> wrote :

Hi Laura

Just a few quick comments.  Need the vets to look at blood work but in general, low grade anemia is not uncommon in older and PPID/IR horses.  That does not mean they need iron supplements.

Lethargy is a very nonspecific symptom, meaning standing on it's own, could mean almost anything.  Last time I balanced for you his salt intake was not what it should have been.  That could contribute to lethargy. You've been reviewing his feet here.  That could contribute to lethargy. 


janieclougher@...
 

Hi, Laura - His red blood cell parameters are all within normal limits, so he is not anemic. Use of dormosedan can cause the appearance of anemia, because of splenic relaxation and sequestration of red blood cells in the spleen, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Platelets are fine - the clumping commonly results in a mis-read by the automated analyzer.   He is showing a mild decrease in neutrophils.  This could be a normal variation for him, or there could be a loss of neutrophils or "neutrophil sink" into an area of inflammation or abscessation.

As Nancy says, lethargy can be caused by a myriad of things. It can be caused by discomfort or pain: foot pain, sore muscles from a hard workout, gut pain, back pain - the list is almost endless. I know he has some degenerative joint disease in his neck and one or more of his lower limbs (you mentioned ringbone in the case history), but I don't know how much this could contribute to the lethargy.

Lethargy can also be caused by just about every illness and disease going. How is his temperature? Appetite? You mentioned to Nancy that he was on bute and dormosedan for a period of time.  What was the reason for that?

I really don't see anything in the blood chemistry or CBC that jumps out at me or rings alarm bells, but the lethargy gets my attention. Now the trick is to figure out where it is coming from. As always, I will defer to Dr. Kellon.




---In EquineCushings@..., <lauramollrich@...> wrote :

I just received today P's CBC panel.  There are irregularities.  How much of this is IR/Cushing's related?  He is very lethargic, is it IR or couild he be anemic?


Thanks,

Laure in CA

2/2012

ECHistory5

1 - 5 of 5