Understanding blood tests

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Mari

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My 2 were 'under the weather' so I had them blood tested. Results came back as 'unremarkable' and the vet deemed no treatment was necessary but some areas were below or above the averages given. I'd like to know what exactly the results mean but I don't think my vet knows enough about the tests. fair enough, they can't know absolutely everything but does anyone know where I could find out how to 'read' these results?
 
Mari said:
My 2 were 'under the weather' so I had them blood tested. Results came back as 'unremarkable' and the vet deemed no treatment was necessary but some areas were below or above the averages given. I'd like to know what exactly the results mean but I don't think my vet knows enough about the tests. fair enough, they can't know absolutely everything but does anyone know where I could find out how to 'read' these results?
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I would strongly advice that you do not try to do this yourself with other people's knowledge second hand and IMO blood tests results are very much relevant to that particular case...e.g. high levels of red blood cells in a post exercise will be "normal" for that horse, but "abnormal" for a resting cob.

If you are not happy about the explanations try to ask the vet to explain the decision to not treat again, I'm sure they won't mind at all. May be asking the vet to run them past other colleagues (tactfully) could be the next step - you'll probably find they've already chatted as a team in house before talking to you....we usually do in our clinic. Especially on the "unremarkable" cases.

Interpreting bloods without the horse to examine is near impossible. I wouldn't try it TBH.

Imogen
 
Thank you Imogen. One came back with a very high bilirubin count & I did discuss this with the vet but he couldn't explain why it was high. It's not that I want treatment for my horses I'd just like to know what each tested area is & why it could be above or below the average & what this means for the horse in question.
 
Bilirubin is high in liver disease and if there is breakdown of red blood cells (lysis). The level increases with age and as long as it is only borderline you have nothing to worry about. The liver can put up with a lot TBH :)
 
Inky_and_Sunny said:
Bilirubin is high in liver disease and if there is breakdown of red blood cells (lysis). The level increases with age and as long as it is only borderline you have nothing to worry about. The liver can put up with a lot TBH :)
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It can also be that it is increased due to inappetance or because the red blood cells have broken up or it could be a mistake.

The problem is that without the benefit of examination - any could be true...as I said before trying to interpret them without other information will almost certainly lead to worry from incorrect interpretation.

In respect to the liver - if the rest of the enzymes that relate to liver disease such as GGT,ALKP etc are raised too then some degree of liver inflammation is possible. Especially if there increases in the inflammatory markers: SAA and Fibrinogen. If you're worried about this a better test for liver function is
bile acids.

I would urge you to run the results past you vet again, they are much better placed to comment here.

Kind Regards,
Imogen
 
Inky_and_Sunny said:
OP don't fret about this - if your horse was haemolysing you would have more symptoms than one borderline high result...
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I totally agree....that was my point - you have no idea how to interpret these without further info- so it's safest not to try. And there was a comment that one horse had "very high" levels rather than just borderline....
 
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