[Berlunz]

hmm normally wouldnt try and guess but this seriously sounds like something our dog had (not sure if this affects horses). We got an inbred collie as a rescue when she was about 8 months. When she turned 4 (took almost 4 years for this to show up). She started having issues. We would come home and she would be laying like she was dead and when we would look at her gums they would be white as a sheet. We would rush her to the vet, they would put her on ivs/meds she would be okay for a while then suddenly it would reoccur. After a year or two of constant vet visits she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a serious condition in which the red blood cells can become sickle-shaped (that is, shaped like a “C”).
Normal red blood cells are smooth and round like a doughnut without a hole. They move easily through blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Sickle-shaped cells don’t move easily through blood. They’re stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get stuck in blood vessels.
The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and organs. Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage.
(Below would explain part of his issue)
In sickle cell anemia, a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells occurs because sickle cells don’t last very long. Sickle cells die faster than normal red blood cells, usually after only about 10 to 20 days. The bone marrow can’t make new red blood cells fast enough to replace the dying ones. The result is anemia. (taken from a website

They have treatments of it for dogs (dont know about horses), unfortunately our dog had too many issues on the medication, as it killed her WBC's and she was allergic. She was getting giant sores on her body and constantly sick so we made the decision to put her down because on the meds she was in constant pain and off them she was almost dying every couple of months..

[Ryle]

Has Blister been in Texas in the last year?
Is he icteric? Dark urine? Fever?

[MyBelgianAzzy]

I think Blister CAME from Texas... I don't remember when he made the move to Kanses with BW though.

[MyBelgianAzzy]

Yeah, the horses moved in late April of this year. I would almost swear from Texas. (Sorry to answer for Michelle, but she's offline).

[Andaletta]

oh dear.. i remember readin about this last year.. I hope blister makes a full recovery.. my gosh does he need it xxx

Edit:

At least this time.. you know what your up against and know how to deal with it

[angie j]

Good Luck...
Our hearts are there with you.

Angie J

[Blistering Winds]

blister was in texas last round. Arrived in Kansas end of April.

Well.....not sure WHAT we found....but we found "something"

Blood has been shipped to K-state diagnostic lab. slides are with 3 different equine vets in the area and 2 small vets for "grins and giggles".

If this was a dog slide, the vet I work for would say Erlichiosis.

I kind of pray that it is cause I have a definite course of action..

Cause in a 12 hour period from one blood draw to the next, platelets PLUMITED down to Low normal.........WBC's are still normal. RBC's are holding low. But more Schistocytes are showing up, platelets are HUGE!!!!
And a ton of basophiles, monocytes, and phagocytes munching on "something". his IOF (internal organ functions) were AWESOME and showing normal. He ACTS normal. So if this is chronic, or just on the verge of flaring??

temp is normal, HR and resps are normal. No sign of purpura as of 4:30 this morning....no signs of swelling, all AOK.


Waiting to hear a collective HUH????> from those that are looking at the blood slides I made for them.

As well as the pathologist at K-state.

[Blistering Winds]

Originally Posted by ryu2832

Myelodysplasia?

It could effect some but not all the cell types produced by the bone marrow, that may explain why platelets are ok, WBC and RBC counts are down.

Fingers crossed pulling for you both.

WBC's are fine. .....but I'll take a look at whatever that is....

[Ryle]

Well, that's what I was getting at, whether anyone had looked at blood smears yet or not.
They are having a Fever Tick issue down here and it's been going on for a while--fever ticks carry Babesia equi.
http://www.zoologix.com/horse/Datasheets/Babesia.htm
In contrast, B. equi infects up to 20% of red blood cells, leading to more severe clinical signs including fever, anemia, icterus, increased respiratory and heart rates and enlargement of the spleen. The parasites destroy red blood cells, causing anemia, and the released hemoglobin may cause icterus and dark urine. Colic, constipation followed by diarrhea, and swelling of the legs can occur.

[Blistering Winds]

I don't remember seeing anything like that. However, I'll look again. As well as wait impatiently for K-state and the equine vets to look at what I sent.


I know I found Howell Jolly Bodies on one of the slides........