Inflammatory markers raised

[RHM]

Hi everyone,

Needing some thoughts from the hive mind!! This is going to be an essay sorry but want to give as much history as possible!

My horse while I was away last week (typical!) presented colicky. Vet was called had rectal and that was all normal and responded well to antispasmodics and Bute.

Her temperature was raised and she had lung sounds so they assumed respiratory infection.

No bloods taken at this stage but antibiotics and Bute prescribed.

Vets came back out 3 days later as still not got original appetite back and tenderness on abdomen (past rib cage) on both sides.

She took bloods and gave her more antibiotics and Bute. Horsey now much happier on high dose of Bute and began eating normally. (Yay!)

Bloods were ran for literally everything and poo samples taken for worm count. All came back completely normal bar Serum amyloid A (SAA) which is a marker for inflammation. This was so high the machine couldn’t give an accurate reading. A million things could cause this but likely a bacterial infection.

now onto today! She is no longer on any painkillers or antibiotics. The vet wants to wait and see how she is and re test bloods next week. If they remain this high she will need to go in for investigation. Im not a wait and see sort of person and this is filling me with dread!

What do you think could be causing this? Particularly the tender abdomen? Vet is still not clear what we are looking at. And as you can imagine I’m getting worried and google is throwing up horror stories!

Has anyone had this before? Or anything similar?

 

[Highmileagecob]

My understanding of the high marker is 'inflammation somewhere, that may be causing pain.' In my old cob's case, it was teeth, and a touch of arthritis. Colic can happen with inflammation of the gut, and gut pain is quickly evident in a horse. Gut pain can be caused by any number of things from worm burdens, to ulcers, to full blown colic depending which bit of the gut is affected. Take a deep breath. If you see signs that she is flaring up again, then call your vet back in, but eating and drinking normally and looking happy whilst not on any medication are all signs she has righted herself. Fingers crossed for you, hope it continues.

 

[RHM]

My understanding of the high marker is 'inflammation somewhere, that may be causing pain.' In my old cob's case, it was teeth, and a touch of arthritis. Colic can happen with inflammation of the gut, and gut pain is quickly evident in a horse. Gut pain can be caused by any number of things from worm burdens, to ulcers, to full blown colic depending which bit of the gut is affected. Take a deep breath. If you see signs that she is flaring up again, then call your vet back in, but eating and drinking normally and looking happy whilst not on any medication are all signs she has righted herself. Fingers crossed for you, hope it continues.

Thanks! I needed some calm sense talked into me! the Googling did me no favours!
The only nagging worry is she still has some abdominal pain. Making me think that something is still lurking!

 

[SEL]

Can you get a tapeworm check done? That was the problem with my little mare. Her previous owners had wormed her, I did a FEC count but didn't realise they hadn't done tapeworm and of course that didn't show on the FEC

Elevated inflammatory markers with her bloods, cow pats and generally uncomfortable.

Vet suggested I wormed again and I did a DD of Strongid P. We had dead wigglies the next day and she perked up very quickly.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Colitis is inflammation of the gut and regularly presents as colic.

For mine the obvious indicator of Colitis rather than colic was watery diarrhoea and diarrhoea which may be missed as grass related. Not sure if this will be the case for all horses and colitis is unusual in horses over 7 years old. The good news with colitis is that grass and time are the best remedy.

 

[ponynutz]

No advice but can tell you're worried so sending you best wishes - eating, drinking, pooing doesn't sound like a horse on the edge of calamity to me and I'm sure whatever is causing the inflammation is easily treated and minor x

 

[RHM]

Can you get a tapeworm check done? That was the problem with my little mare. Her previous owners had wormed her, I did a FEC count but didn't realise they hadn't done tapeworm and of course that didn't show on the FEC

Elevated inflammatory markers with her bloods, cow pats and generally uncomfortable.

Vet suggested I wormed again and I did a DD of Strongid P. We had dead wigglies the next day and she perked up very quickly.

The vets did a worm count and said it was normal but I definitely think this is a good shout. I was thinking it could be red worm now that it’s warming up

 

[RHM]

Colitis is inflammation of the gut and regularly presents as colic.

For mine the obvious indicator of Colitis rather than colic was watery diarrhoea and diarrhoea which may be missed as grass related. Not sure if this will be the case for all horses and colitis is unusual in horses over 7 years old. The good news with colitis is that grass and time are the best remedy.

That was one of the things that came up on my Googling!!

Her poo is a normal consistency though so not sure if diarrhoea ia a consistent symptom?

we turn out in the summer fields in two weeks and I’m counting down the hours! Think it will really pick her up

 

[RHM]

No advice but can tell you're worried so sending you best wishes - eating, drinking, pooing doesn't sound like a horse on the edge of calamity to me and I'm sure whatever is causing the inflammation is easily treated and minor x

Thank you! I think I needed to hear this! X