anaemia/vit B - confused!

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lucymay9701

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My vet has just called with the results of my horses tests. The results from her fluid samples taken from her lungs were normal but she said she is slightly anaemic. She then said I need to feed her a supplement high in B vits. I always thought anaemia meant low iron - in horses are the 2 linked (low iron and B vits) or could it be pernicious anaemia she has? I'm a bit confused and going to phone back tomorrow but was interested if anyone had any thoughts? She suggested red cell supplement as an option to try so will probably give that a go but am unsure if there is a link between low vit B and iron so was interested in trying to understand a bit more before I phone back! x
 
Yup, iron will help with anaemia because it's necessary for the formation of new red blood cells. But I've had 2 rescue horses in very poor condition and they were both given B vits by my vets, 1 as an injection and 1 through an oral drench product, can't remember the name. My understanding is that B vits support general good health and a strong immune system. If these things are in place, your horse's red blood cell count should also improve. It may not be classic anaemia so much as being generally run down.
 
lucymay9701 said:
My vet has just called with the results of my horses tests. The results from her fluid samples taken from her lungs were normal but she said she is slightly anaemic. She then said I need to feed her a supplement high in B vits. I always thought anaemia meant low iron - in horses are the 2 linked (low iron and B vits) or could it be pernicious anaemia she has? I'm a bit confused and going to phone back tomorrow but was interested if anyone had any thoughts? She suggested red cell supplement as an option to try so will probably give that a go but am unsure if there is a link between low vit B and iron so was interested in trying to understand a bit more before I phone back! x
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I can reccomend haemavite b + it's what my vet put my mare on... It's got all you need... You can buy it online or your vet can get it... It comes in a syrup and is very palletable... If I recall correctly its about £18
 
From what I understand, anaemia can also be caused by a copper deficiency. It is rare that a horse's diet is lacking in iron - usually the balance in UK forage and hard feed/generic mineral supplements is too high in iron in comparison with copper. Excess iron will also inhibit the absorption of copper, furthering the problem. I would be wary of feeding a supplement very high in iron to an anaemic horse (or any horse).
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. I noticed the red cell has the b vits and iron in so maybe the vet thinks she needs both. I've asked for copies of her results to be sent to me so I may be less confused then. The red cell also has the copper in so will hopefully be OK. The iron doesn't look too high in it, its comparible to whats in the equimins tip top supplement powder I currently feed (when that it is fed at the dose for working horses) although maybe they absorb it better when its liquid. She'd just be on the maintenance dose of 30ml red cell rather than the higher does of 60ml. Fingers crossed it will help her anyway x
 
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