blood test results | The Health of the racing Greyhound

Adam
Guest

blood test results Nov 13, 2014 16:53:08 GMT 10

Post by Adam on Nov 13, 2014 16:53:08 GMT 10

Hi Tom,

my greyhound has been very sick over the last few days we have been back n forth to the vets with him for blood tests etc, he has been put on clavalox, traameel and baytril, he is 9 years old (a former "patient" of yours actually when racing ) vets were/unsure of the origins of his illness infection, but If you could I will foward on the basic results and see if you can throw anymore light on the problem, 1st blood test yesterday showed massively high WBCC 58 after 36 hours on clavalox we went back today as he had a seizure this morning (after looking like there was small improvement overnight) the count has slightly gone up and now has had baytril added to his list of medications.

here are the results of the breakdown of the white blood cell count, everything else within the blood test has been within the guideline parameters.

WCC

NEUT 53

LYMPH 1.8

MON 8.7

PCV 57

We understand we may have some bad news ahead of us but , would like to hear your thoughts on what may be going on with our boy, thanks.

Tom Meulman
Administrator

Posts: 1,182

blood test results Nov 13, 2014 19:00:17 GMT 10

Post by Tom Meulman on Nov 13, 2014 19:00:17 GMT 10

Hi Adam

This greyhound has a massive bacterial infection and should really be given antibiotics intravenous initially, and then intramuscular injections until the lymphocytes and monocytes counts have come down.

I'm not real keen on oral Clavulox as it has become a rather ineffective antibiotic due to high levels of bacterial resistance to this specific combination.

The problem is not knowing where the infection is located, and that makes it more difficult to target the likely strain of bacteria.

Cheers,
Tom

Everything that happens to a greyhound can only happen because of an action or inaction by its carer, so don’t blame the greyhound when it all goes wrong.

Adam
Guest

blood test results Nov 13, 2014 20:36:17 GMT 10

Post by Adam on Nov 13, 2014 20:36:17 GMT 10

Thanks Tom

vet was saying if the numbers dont come down it could be leaning towards a luekimia type cancer with those numbers

I have the resulta on my computer and could email them to you to have a look at if you have time, I understand we may need to have him opened up to find out what is happening but at his age its hard deciding whether we should put him through it, any advice is greatly appreciated mate, he is a very much loved dog who you helped get him to his race career, you opinion means alot to us as you know so much in this area of things.

thanks

Adam.

Tom Meulman
Administrator

Posts: 1,182

blood test results Nov 14, 2014 8:42:45 GMT 10

Post by Tom Meulman on Nov 14, 2014 8:42:45 GMT 10

Hi Adam,

Mate I am so sorry but those numbers do not look good and they need to come down rapidly, particularly when seizures are involved.

All you can do at this point in time is to wait and see if the current antibiotic regime has the required effect, and make a decision when the time comes.

You would probably be aware of my feelings in that regard as I value quality of life above most things.

My best wishes,
Tom

Everything that happens to a greyhound can only happen because of an action or inaction by its carer, so don’t blame the greyhound when it all goes wrong.