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Discussion on High Fibrin Question | |
Author | Message |
Member: sachet |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 17, 2013 - 7:16 pm: My horse has been battling a skin problem for two months. I've posted here initially under the Ringworm topic and then later under the Pemphigus topic.I have been dealing with a vet dermatologist who has prescribed an antihistamine and an oral antifungal Fluconazole. My horse started to improve right away on these drugs, and is almost back to normal and doing well. We have started to slowly wean him off the medication. Blood work was done on December 14, 2012 which is when I started the medication. At that time, Fibrin was a very normal 200. My next blood work was on January 11,2013 and now has risen to 600! This information was given to me at the last minute before leaving the clinic, so I was not prepared to ask the right questions about the value. The vet didn't seem to be worried about it and was pleased with my horse's condition and his blood work results. Now, I am trying to read up on what causes high Fibrin, and what I read worries me. So, my question is "could the fungal meds be causing this?" My horse looks and feels fine. Below are his values, all normal except for Fibrin and all very much the same as last month, except for Fibrin. RBC 7.55 HGB 12.6 PLT 207 PCV 38 T.S. 6.6 fibrin 600 |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2013 - 5:34 pm: Hello Sachet,Is this a fibrin level (usually not measured) or fibrinogen (difficult to get a good measurement of)? DrO |
Member: sachet |
Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2013 - 7:31 pm: Oops, sorry that meant FIBRINOGIN not Fibrin.Is it difficult to get a good measurement of this? I did not know that. Since putting up this post, I researched the net diligently, and everything I read said that high Fibrinogin means Inflammation. One thing I read was that a ratio of Total Plasma Protein to Fibrinogin should be used. In my case, Total Plasma Protein was 6.2. That would result in a ratio of 9.3 which is considered really bad if under 10. My horse feels just fine and is in regular work. His skin condition has improved and his has no more lesions. Yet, he still has a couple itchy places and thickened skin, so I continue to worry about auto-immune. I chose not to get the biopsy, but that is another topic. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2013 - 7:15 am: The problem with laboratory values is that by themselves they often have little meaning. There are many causes of abnormal lab values some of which are not significant. I cannot explain why your otherwise healthy appearing horse has a high fibrinogen level but if a thorough physical exam and a CBC with differential does not reveal anything wrong I would not worry much and possibly follow up with another check in 30 days. To answer your direct question, I am not aware that fluconazole would cause a increase in fibrinogen levels.DrO |