Advice on protein levels in bloods pls

Bikerchickone

Bikerchickone

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Some of you may remember me pulling my hair out a few weeks ago with my lad being admitted to the equine hospital with colic. They did standard blood tests at the time and were concerned that his protein levels were high. They thought it might be him fighting an infection but asked me to book him in for another test in a few weeks time to check it. The results came back today and the level is now higher than it was before yet my boy seems to be fine and has been back in work with no problems since then.

I don't really understand it all but my vet said the protein is broken down in two ways in the test, one is from the dietary protein he gets and the other is to do with him fighting off an infection. It's the infection fighting level that's raised, I believe he mentioned 90, whatever that is, however there's no other signs of any problems. Vet said he'd expect to see some other levels raised too but there aren't.

Vet wasn't worried, that I could tell and is very very good with being straight with me, but he wasn't entirely happy either and has suggested we monitor it at least every year when he's vaccinated if not more.

Anybody got any ideas about what this could be or experienced it with their horses please? Wouldn't say I'm worried because the vet isn't but it'd be nice to have some idea what's going on.

Chocolate hob nobs and Baileys on offer if you got this far. :)
 
I believe the proteins you speak are globulins. An increase here is often a sign of infection or more commonly inflammation. I presume your vet also ran a fibrinogen. If this is normal then chronic inflammation is less likely.
I would be more inclined to reassess the levels in about 2-3 months rather than wait a year because either way it isn't entirely normal.
 
Affy had raised protein levels before she went in for her op, vet said they were higher than is recommended to undergo an op, but she'd already had her pre-meds and it was the op or curtains, so we went ahead and all was fine, and she's still fine a year and a half later. If he's not worried then I would trust his judgement.
 
Hi Glenruby, yes everything else is normal and this is the 3rd test done over a matter of a month now and they've been much the same each time, except being slightly lower when he ya originally in the hospital. I don't quite know what to make of it to be honest. Vet mentioned that he might just have a higher normal level than most but he's not come across it before. Trouble is I don't know if that is the case because apart from this year he's been shockingly healthy all the years I've had him. :o

Orionstar, thank you that's a bit more reassuring. I'm concerned but not really worried because he honestly does seem totally fine.

Thank you both for your comments :)
 
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