decipher bloodwork results ...attn: Medical-minded folks

[LynnG]

Anyone want to give this a shot; everything else in normal range from bloodwork........... from a horse

Differential - %

segmented neut% -- result: 74 High -- Normal Range (37-68)
lymphocyte% -- result: 16 Low -- Normal range (23-54)

Chemistry

Total Bilirubin -- 2.8 High -- Normal range (0.2-2.5)
CK -- 384 High -- Normal Range (90-305)

Same horse will get bloodwork redone next year (well in a few weeks). Horse seems happy and healthy...just doing an annual checkup.

:( thanks and happy new year!
lynn

[GeorgeGuns]

WBCs suggest he may be fighting off a mild bacterial infection, or its just his norm.

BUN/Ck suggests mild renal stress, possibly using protien for energy - either getting too much in diet or he's thin. I vote for thin.

[motorgypsy]

Older animals, especially carnivores etc. like dogs and cats, will have elevated BUN etc. because their kidneys tend to fail little by little. We're talking very old now, not middle aged. They can still do fine but there is a special diet that is easier on the kidneys that you can buy. (This is not the bladder stone problem many male cats have but the actual function of the kidneys)

[LynnG]

Thanks...this was Emperador's bloodwork after I got him in October 2003. Yes he was thin and age 23+ then. He'll be 25 years in March this year. He looks much younger then his age compared to other aged horses I have seen and active too. I'm taking him in for a checkup this month and have new bloodwork pulled this month pre-breeding season. He's in good condition bodyweight wise, but not fat...more like fit. He'll lose weight during breeding season. Last vet said he looked good and was glad he wasn't overweight for a breeding stallion. He is very active moving around as he is daily turned out unless the weather is bad. he's on TC Senior which has the 10% fat, 14% protein, with some strategy mixed in for some variety. he's a picky eater. He has a wave in his back molars teeth which I had power floated. But vet really doesn't want to do that much grinding down with a horse his age.

So with the new bloodwork pulled, it will be interesting to see how he everything is now!
Thanks for the explanations! Happy New Year!
Lynn

[motorgypsy]

I'm pretty sure TC or one of the other feeds has a 10% fat with a 10% protein which might be easier on him until he starts to "work" this spring. You might ask the vet if he's still showing elevated BUN. Our 23 year old dun mare is also on TC senior and we're thinking about lowering the protein level with her since she tends to stay a bit thin - no ribs showing but I'd like her to be up one more level.

[appyday]

Lynn at least he is not sickly and is acting and eatting fine....he is getting up there so you will be seeing some changes...good luck this year with breeding season..