This message is from: CHERYL GARNICA <cheryl...@sbcglobal.net>
Hi Jean My, balmy at 30 degrees?? I can't imagine! Thanks for your reply and info; it definetly helped. I just posted to the list, and there was a consenus re: different breeds and blood values. I'm a nurse, but for humans. Much as I can do a bit of critical thinking on medical issues, I find horses can be different...so wan't sure what to think. On top of that, my TB with skin and allergy issues and the 23 y/o POA had perfect labs...it gave me pause to think about why my youngest and robust horse (fjord) would be different! Thanks again and enjoy the tropical weather in Alaska! Cheryl Garnica in S Cal ________________________________ From: "jern...@mosquitonet.com" <jern...@mosquitonet.com> To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Fri, February 10, 2012 9:51:01 AM Subject: Re: fjord blood values This message is from: jern...@mosquitonet.com Cheryl, My Fjords have always had low red blood cell counts, and I believe that is normal for them. I have a reference somewhere that gives RBC averages for various breeds and draft horses generally do have "low normal" levels. Keep in mind that Red Blood Cells are stored in the spleen and when the horses is excited or puts out a greater effort in exercise (race horses, for example) the spleen supplies extra red cells. If the blood sample is taken when the horse is excited quite likely the Hematocrit will be a lot higher than when he is calm. >From an article in "THE HORSE": "Many racehorse trainers rely heavily on repeated measurements of certain blood parameters for assessment of fitness and readiness for racing. In particular, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume (all indicators of the horse's capacity to transport oxygen in the blood) are measured on a routine basis. While it is true that exercise training is associated with small increases in these indices, resting values for red cell count and hemoglobin concentration cannot be used to assess fitness and are unreliable for prediction of the horse's capacity to transport oxygen during exercise. Up to one-third of the horse's red blood cells are stored in its spleen; this red cell reservoir is pumped into circulation at the onset of exercise, providing a tremendous boost in oxygen-carrying capacity. Thus, only blood samples taken during exercise can serve as a reliable indicator of total red cell numbers." Hope this helps! Jean in balmy Fairbanks Alaska, will be +30 again! > > Hi List > My fjord gelding had a routine blood panel drawn with his wellness > visit. To > the vets and my surprise, his red blood cell count was a bit on > the low side > (RBC 5.66) which she considered borderline anemic (normal > 6.18-9.53). Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
