If you notice that your horse’s gums, or the pink part of its eye appear paler than usual, should you be worried? Should you consult your vet?
The answer to both of these questions is yes. If your horse’s gums or conjunctiva of the eye (collectively known as mucus membranes) are less pink than they should be, it’s possible that your horse may be anaemic. This means there are fewer red blood cells circulating in your horse’s surface blood vessels, which can result in reduced oxygen flow throughout the body and organs. Chances are that you were looking at the gums because your horse doesn't seem well in the first place.
What can we learn from an anemia diagnosis?
Anaemia can be assessed by measuring either the percentage of red cells, or the concentration of haemolgobin (the chemical which carries oxygen in the red cells) in a sample of your horse's blood. Interestingly, anemia is often a symptom of other conditions, so in many cases, an anemia diagnosis can be a helpful indicator that there are further health issues affecting your horse.
The two types of anaemia:
Broadly there are two types of anemia:
- Regenerative anaemia - Occurs due to blood loss, for example from a serious cut or wound.
- Non-regenerative anaemia - The ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells is compromised in some way, for example, by a disease, or a problem affecting the system that regulates the production and concentration of red blood cells in the body.
What happens to an anemic horse?
The symptoms of anaemia can depend on the cause, severity and duration of the condition.
Anaemia from sudden blood loss
Serious, sudden anaemia can result in shock and sometimes death if a third or more of the blood volume is lost in a short period. As a result of sudden blood loss, a horse will have increased heart and respiratory rate as well as pale gums and low blood pressure. There may also be a lack of energy, weakness and loss of appetite.
Anaemia from disease
If a disease process, such as liver disease, is destroying red blood cells, your horse may become jaundiced, and their mucus membrane may appear yellow. This happens as the liver breaks down the haemoglobin, released when red cells are destroyed, into bilirubin which gives off yellow colour in the tissue.
Please contact us immediately if your horse has had a sudden change in their gum and eye colouration. The sooner anaemia is detected, the sooner we can work to treat it.
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