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Discussion on Lawsonia vs. Lymphoma
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New Member:
ridingmo
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Posted on Monday, Feb 6, 2012 - 1:34 pm:
Hi all!
I have a 22 year-old gelindg who was diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma in September. I recently moved and am trying out a new vet in his care, she is the one who diagnosed him with it based on his bloodwork. However, my old vet who was called to consult thinks that jumping to a lymphoma diagnosis is to early. He talked to me about Lawsonia and how it can mimic the signs of lymphom (e.g. hypocalcemia).
I know this is generally found in foals, but my old vet says he's seen it in adult horses in CA (where I moved from). I'm wondering about people's thoughts. I've read articles on both and he seems to exhibit symptoms that match both, including weight loss, rough hair coat, diahrreah and colic.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2012 - 7:46 am:
Welcome Melinda,
I don't think hypocalcemia is useful as a diagnostic tool for either lymphoma or PE. While it may be consistent with either disease (note many maybe even most lymphomas have hypercalcemia) there are thousands of reason for a low blood calcium. I would also not that all of you symptoms are very general and not diagnostic of either disease, though they may appear on your list of possible rule outs. Both the article here on PE and the article on lymphoma, HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Cardiovascular, Blood, and Immune System » Lymphoma and Lymphosarcoma, explain specific diagnostic steps to rule in or out these diseases.
For a more general list of causes of the symptoms you describe and possible diagnostic steps see, HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Weight Loss in Horses » Overview of Chronic Weight Loss.
DrO
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