Swelling and anaemia?

[full_throttle1]

I was just wondering if any of you have and experience with anaemic horses, and whether anaemia can cause swollen joints and lameness?
This might sound like an odd question, but my 6yo mare was just diagnosed with anaemia after a blood test, which the vet believes is the result of a bad infection and virus she had a couple of weeks ago - she was quite sick.
However, the reason we took bloods in the first place is my mare has swelling in all four fetlocks: hinds very bad and hard lump on near hind, fronts carrying fluid but not visible swollen and swelling spread to hocks this week. She is also lame in the back. It's worth mentioning that she has had I consistent lameness ranging from very mild to severe for a couple of months now.
The vet thought that the swelling was due to an allergy, but unsure of lameness,. After diagnosis of anaemia she believes this is the cause of lameness and swelling.
Normally I would not question a vet but this one is new to me, and since the bloods I have had a few people questioning this. So I thought I'd see if anyone has any experience of this. I suppose something isn't clicking right with me. Thanks for any input.

 

[be positive]

Whether being anemic can cause swelling or lameness I have no idea but your vet is grasping at straws if he is linking the two whilst saying the anemia is a result of the infection a couple of weeks ago if she has been lame for months, I think I would want someone more proactive as there may be an underlying condition which is causing all of her issues, anemia being a symptom rather than the cause.

Don't feel bad questioning a vet or asking for a second opinion, vets are not able to be experts in all fields of veterinary care, most are GP's rather than specialists but sometimes they forget they cannot solve every problem and need to get expert advice or refer to another clinic.

 

[full_throttle1]

Whether being anemic can cause swelling or lameness I have no idea but your vet is grasping at straws if he is linking the two whilst saying the anemia is a result of the infection a couple of weeks ago if she has been lame for months, I think I would want someone more proactive as there may be an underlying condition which is causing all of her issues, anemia being a symptom rather than the cause.

Don't feel bad questioning a vet or asking for a second opinion, vets are not able to be experts in all fields of veterinary care, most are GP's rather than specialists but sometimes they forget they cannot solve every problem and need to get expert advice or refer to another clinic.

Thanks so much for your input. Yes I do agree that they do seem to be clutching at straws - even the Y/O, who recommended this vet to me, thinks this is far fetched. Fair enough she is anaemic, but it seems like a strange conclusion to reach. But I did want to give the benefit of the doubt.
I think I will ask another vet to take a look at her.

 

[SEL]

We had one on the yard that presented with odd swellings and anaemia - turned out to be worm damage. The horse was investigated initially for lameness, which was later thought to be as a result from the pain in his gut.

Might be worth running by your vet.

 

[full_throttle1]

We had one on the yard that presented with odd swellings and anaemia - turned out to be worm damage. The horse was investigated initially for lameness, which was later thought to be as a result from the pain in his gut.

Might be worth running by your vet.

Funnily enough, and I'm only now remembering because you said it, but the vet themselves did suggest this. But when I described my worming programme to them they didn't think it that likely. But it is still a possibility I suppose; she's never actually had any foecal worm counts or anything. Thanks for your input! I'm going to call out my old vet (who I didn't use because of opinions from others, unfortunately) to give me a second opinion and will run this by him to see what he thinks.