my horse is still sick? can anyone help?

[jumper1124]

I was wondering if anyone on here could help me or know who I could contact to try to find an answer.

I have a jumper that was performing well but had mild allergies all summer. Two days after coming back from a show in the end of August she was very snotty and coughing a lot so we called the vet. She had a viral infection in her lungs and her white blood cell, lipid, and immunoglobulin counts were low. She was treated with Equistim and rest and monitored with weekly blood tests. The symptoms went away and her white blood cell and lipid counts returned to normal but her immunoglobulin count was still low.

That was in the middle of September, it is now October and her immunoglobulin levels are still low but she appears normal, happy, and healthy. I was wondering if anyone knew of some reason or underlying cause as to why her immunoglobulin level would still be low. Thanks so much!

(i edited the title)

[jumper1124]

does anyone have any ideas or opinions? id really appreciate it

[t. nason]

I'm sure you have been looking online but that is one thing I would do. Then again I have vet medical books at home I like to read. Good luck.

[Buffyblue]

I usually refer to this website for veterinary information: http://www.horseadvice.com/ You can do a lot of reading on any number of topics, and if you are a member you can post a specific question. In any case, I'm glad your horse is feeling better!

[foxford]

Jumper, I am curious, what does your vet say? Sorry, I do not have any advice, but I'd love to hear what they think.

[Fharoah]

Did you try consulting with one of the major vet schools or unniversities in your area, maybe they would have some advise?

[AKB]

Some people are immune deficient and always test low on one or more immunoglobulins. Many of these people live normal lives. I don't know if horses are prone to similar problems. You can google it, and then talk with your vet about whether or not your horse should see a medicine specialist at a vet school.

[12hooves]

Yes, I was just reading that some animals and humans can have an immune deficiency and sometimes not have symptoms, but when stressed will get sick. Maybe your horse needs to be on the Equistim longer? or may always be deficient???

[jumper1124]

Thanks for the feedback! Thing is when we ran a blood test for her pre-purchase her immunoglobulin count was in the normal range and shes been getting Equistim (sp?) as an immunity booster every or every other week since she got sick. I haven't found a lot online and by conventional reasoning, since immunoglobulins are produced by white blood cells, if the white blood cell count is normal the immunoglobulin count should be normal barring some stress or disease attacking the system. My vet is unsure what is causing it, he thought that when the virus cleared her blood counts should have all returned to normal (i.e. there may be some underlying cause here) and we're waiting to hear back from an immunologist at New Bolton. Its just been so long I was curious of other people might know of anything different that could be of use. I've been searching online without much luck but I'll def try out that site that was mentioned, idk if I went there before or not, lol.

[Rienzi]

Looking at this another way -- maybe her white blood cell count was running high (for her) when you had the PPE. For my own self, my white blood cell count bounces up and down; sometimes it is really low, and sometimes just plain low. My doctor was so concerned that she sent me to a specialist. His conclusion? "You're just weird, but for you, it's normal." He said in the absense of other significant findings, that it was no cause for alarm. I still have my blood checked a couple times a year.

For the record, I seem to get sick less than the average person, though I do have a lot of allergies.

[IceQueen]

What is her exercise schedule like? Consistent, on or off. Does she show signs of stress that you have noticed? The more stress the weaker the immune system is & resorts in more respiratory issues to come...generally speaking.

When she was tested when you 1st purchased her what was her work out schedule compared to what it is now.

Exercise would have played a big role in the results of the test, especially depending on the timing of the test, just after a recent work out v/s hanging out for several days.

Also have you had any drastic changes in hay or pasture arrangements, same place for months or just moved?

Cat,

[jumper1124]

sry it took so long to respond i had some internet problems. We did consider that she could just be weird but we had wanted to check everything just in case. before i got her she was at a nice show barn and showing regularly in good shape so i would say she had consistent work and until she got sick in aug she was in regular work and is now on rest