BUILDING BETTER BLOOD achieving optimum performance. BETTER UNDERstaNDING of BLOOD

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Barbara Wilson
5 years ago
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1 BUILDING BETTER BLOOD achieving optimum performance from your horse through a BETTER UNDERstaNDING of BLOOD

What is blood? Blood is a complex fluid mixture of cells (red cells, white cells and platelets), proteins, nutrients and minerals. Blood is circulated around the body through blood vessels.

2 What is blood? Blood is a complex fluid mixture of cells (red cells, white cells and platelets), proteins, nutrients and minerals. Blood is circulated around the body through blood vessels. Bright red (oxygenated) blood carries oxygen (bound to red blood cells) and nutrients to muscles to fuel their contractions and the waste products, carbon dioxide and heat are carried away in dark red deoxygenated blood. The blood also functions to transport other substances around the body such as white blood cells, enzymes and hormones. Red Blood Cells Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in the body. They are manufactured by the bone marrow and have an average lifespan in the blood of 160 days. The major function of red blood cells is to transport haemoglobin around the body. Haemoglobin (Hb) is the protein that binds oxygen taken up from the lungs and carries it to the body tissues such as the muscles to supply energy. The red blood cells also transport carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs where it is passed out of the body. Ninety-seven percent of the oxygen that is carried by the blood from the lungs is carried by haemoglobin; the other three percent is dissolved in the plasma. It is the iron in haemoglobin that gives blood its red colour. A healthy horse maintains a concentration of red and white blood cells, blood protein, electrolytes, muscle, liver and kidney enzymes and other blood components within an established normal range relative to its age, breed, degree of fitness, health and nutritional adequacy. Interesting Fact: There are EIGht recognised BLOOD GROUps in the horse: A, C, D, K, P, Q, T and U. 2 Building Better Blood

3 WHAT IS ANAEMIA? Anaemia in horses is defined as the shortage of haemoglobin in their blood. There are different reasons for anaemia, which typically occurs secondary to some other health issue the horse may be experiencing. Any condition that results in blood loss or a failure of the body to manufacture red blood cells can lead to anaemia and in extreme cases result in death. Clinical Signs Unusually poor performance/loss of stamina Weakness Lethargy Loss of appetite Depression Hair loses lustre Heart murmur Discolouration of the mucous membranes Causes Blood Loss Acute (rapid onset and/or short course) haemorrhagic injury or operation that leads to severe blood loss. disease which leads to horse s own immune system destroying its red blood cells. Parasitism causing chronic hemorrhage from overburden of lice, ticks bloodsucking red worm (Strongylus vulgaris) etc. Stress and strain - Excessive training or exercise may lead to stomach ulcers as well as some iron loss in sweat. Poor nutrition resulting in iron and vitamin deficiency. Improper utilisation of food food not being chewed properly due to sharp teeth or the horse eating too fast. In all cases of anaemia, the horse must be given plenty of time to rest, relax and fully recuperate. For the average horse, a month or so of little to no work should be enough. Veterinary advice is recommended to help determine how long the horse should be inactive. Building Better Blood 3

4 building blood As a horse is worked it uses oxygen. If there are insufficient red blood cells to supply this demand the kidneys detect this and release a hormone (erythropoietin) to stimulate increased red blood cell production. Without supplying the essential nutrients or building blocks required to facilitate the blood building process this will not take place. A healthy diet rich in iron and protein, or blood building supplements may be included in the diet to build blood. The main building blocks required are as below. 1.Iron is a component of haemoglobin in red blood cells and helps maintain normal metabolism. Iron supply may be low in animals due to losses from damage to red blood cells, poor grassing, inadequate supplementation and excessive sweating. Iron is stored in the spleen, liver and low levels in bone marrow as well as some iron derived from old red blood cells. Iron alone however cannot boost red blood cell production. 2.Vitamins are needed for general metabolism, the three B vitamins essential to the blood building process are folic acid, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Folic Acid is needed for the formation and production of red and white blood cells and haemoglobin. Folic acid levels tend to be lower in stabled horses with limited access to green feed resulting in lower folate levels than horses with free access to rapidly growing pasture making supplementation important. Vitamin B6 assists with the absorption of iron and in the formation of haemoglobin. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation. Vitamin C helps with iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. 3. Copper is thought to be present in all body cells especially the liver. It is essential for iron absorption, mobilisation of iron stores from the tissues and utilisation of iron in haemoglobin synthesis. It also plays a role in bone development and maintenance of elastic connective tissue. 4. Cobalt is an integral part of the vitamin B12 molecule and is subsequently involved in the formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin. 5. Proteins and amino acids such as methionine, lysine and glycine are required for haemoglobin synthesis. The nutrients mentioned above work synergistically with each other. In other words, feeding a single nutrient such as iron will be of little beneficial effect but feeding a combined supplement with all the co-factors present will help achieve desired blood levels. 4 Building Better Blood

5 Why build blood Iron and the performance horse Every day red blood cells are made as well as lost or destroyed in the horse s body. If the number made is equal to the number lost or destroyed there would be no detectable change in the red blood cell numbers in a blood sample. However, red blood cell requirements are higher in performance horses mainly due to: increased red blood cell destruction due to hard training, faster use and shorter life span of red blood cells stomach ulcers and lung bleeding Performance can be affected by the absolute number of red blood cells in circulation. It takes about five days for the bone marrow to respond and produce increased number of blood cells containing haemoglobin. The hydration status of the animal or loss of blood and body fluids is one of the most common reasons for reduced performance and other metabolic conditions. We can influence the number of red blood cells and fitness of each individual animal. Building up a horse s work over a period of four to six weeks in a stepwise fashion will increase its ability to perform at a higher level. This is achieved by an improvement in the circulatory system, the heart, the muscles and the number of red blood cells available. This process can only take place however if the horse has all the building blocks it needs to do so. We can supply these building blocks in the form of supplements such as FBC Bloodfood, BLUD or Ironcyclen along with good management and diet. At the same time if we minimise the blood lost through parasitism, Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage, (EIPH) and stomach ulcers (through reduced stress) we can maintain the horse in optimum condition. It should be noted that some losses cannot be minimised. Those such as the haemolysis (break down of red blood cells) due to compression in the galloping horses foot or bleeding into organs such as the kidney during exercise are one reason why horses will always need some supplementation of red blood cell building blocks. Providing electrolytes such as Humidimix, Stressalyte or Recharge we can help maintain optimum hydration status. Building Better Blood 5

Are Iron supplements safe? at the recommended doses, yes! the horse s gut is very efficient at preventing absorption of excessive amounts of dietary iron into the bloodstream.

6 Are Iron supplements safe? at the recommended doses, yes! the horse s gut is very efficient at preventing absorption of excessive amounts of dietary iron into the bloodstream. oral supplements tend to contain less than the recommended daily intake. in addition to dietary iron (in forage and grain), supplementation ensures adequate iron intake, particularly in horses with high iron requirements, such as working horses and pregnant mares, or when the diet is low in iron, commonly with high grain feeding. Oral versus Injectable supplements oral supplements such as FBC Bloodfood granules, ironcyclen liquid and Blud are regulated by absorption from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, so risk of overdosing is avoided. In the case of injectable iron supplements, iron reaches the bloodstream directly, bypassing the gut, so cannot be regulated by gut absorption and the risk of overdosing is greater. therefore, injectable iron supplements are usually administered under the supervision of a veterinarian in cases where rapid provision of iron is required. Care must be taken NOT to exceed label recommendations, to use sterile injection technique and inject slowly if using the intravenous route. In addition to DIETary IRON (in forage and grain), supplementation ensures adequate IRON intake, particularly in horses with high IRON REQUIREments... 6 Building Better Blood

COMPLETE SOLUTIONS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT IRON SUPPLEMENT ANAEMIA MAINTENANCE FBC Bloodfood FBC Bloodfood Ironcyclen Ironcyclen pre-competition/race DAY

FBC-Bloodfood may also be administered daily until the anaemia is resolved. For more information, see page 8.

FBC Bloodfood and BLUD are supplied in individual sachets for addition to feed and can be added to pre-race saline drenches.

7 COMPLETE SOLUTIONS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT IRON SUPPLEMENT ANAEMIA MAINTENANCE FBC Bloodfood FBC Bloodfood Ironcyclen Ironcyclen pre-competition/race DAY [BOOSTER COURSE] if a horse is Anaemic, seek veterinary advice as an injectable iron supplement may be recommended. FBC-Bloodfood may also be administered daily until the anaemia is resolved. For more information, see page 8. Virbac blood building supplements provide a range of options, refer to product label for directions for use. FBC Bloodfood and BLUD are supplied in individual sachets for addition to feed and can be added to pre-race saline drenches. Ironcyclen provides a highly palatable molasses flavoured syrup. For more information, see pages 8 and 9. Booster course of Blud sachets or Ironcyclen can be used at key training times prior to a race or event to provide a potent boost for optimum performance. For more information, see page 9. Building Better Blood 7

8 WHY Choosing DO HORSES the RIGht SWEAT? IRON supplement FBC Bloodfood FBC Bloodfood is a highly concentrated complete oral blood building supplement for red blood cell and haemoglobin formation in horses. FBC Bloodfood contains fortified butterscotch flavoured granules packed with all the key minerals, vitamins and amino acids required in the development of red blood cells. FBC Bloodfood is available in boxes of 30 x 30g sachets Ideal for Horses and foals recovering from injury or illness Horses recovering from blood loss anaemia Horses suffering from heavy parasitism At a glance FBC Bloodfood is a complete blood building package iron and trace minerals, B-complex vitamins and amino acids FBC Bloodfood contains two bioavailable forms of iron that are kinder on the horse s gut and are better absorbed FBC assists in red blood cell and haemoglobin formation and is an effective therapy to restore appropriate blood counts Indicated for critical periods when an increase in blood cell production is required. Pregnant and lactating mares can also benefit due to the extra demand placed on their bodies while supporting a foal It is packaged in individual serve sachets to ensure quality of contents, freshness and ease of use Analysis Each 30g sachet contains: Iron (as Iron carbonyl and Ferric pyrophosphate) 230mg Thiamine nitrate (Vit. B1) 15mg Riboflavine (Vit. B2) 25mg Also contains: Vitamins Nicotinamide 300mg; Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vit. B6) 15mg; Folic acid 7.5mg; Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12) 500µg. Minerals Copper carbonate 18mg; Cobaltous sulfate heptahydrate 1mg. Amino Acids Lysine hydrochloride 200mg; Glycine 100mg; Racemethionine 100mg. 8 BUILDING BETTER BLOOD

Choosing the right iron supplement Ironcyclen Ironcyclen liquid contains three soluble forms of iron along with the blood building co-factors copper and cobalt which are essential for red blood cell

9 Choosing the right iron supplement Ironcyclen Ironcyclen liquid contains three soluble forms of iron along with the blood building co-factors copper and cobalt which are essential for red blood cell and haemoglobin production. It can also be used as a maintenance supplement. Ideal for All performance horses requiring a blood building boost Horses recovering from illness or injury Horses that tend to sift out powders At a glance Ironcyclen contains iron, copper and cobalt, the main building blocks required for red blood cell and haemoglobin production Ironcyclen contains three forms of iron including aminoates which increase absorption and reduce incidence of gut irritation Ironcyclen can be used as a blood boosting supplement for horses in hard training, racing and competition Ironcyclen is a molasses flavoured syrup palatable even to fussy eaters Analysis Each 75mL dose contains: Iron (as Iron Amino Acid Chelate) 200.0mg Iron (as Iron Ammonium Citrate) 840.0mg Iron (as Ferrous Sulfate Monohydrate) 8.2g Copper (as Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate) 15.1mg Cobalt (as Cobaltous Sulphate Heptahyrdate) 4.0mg Ironcyclen is available in 1L, 5L and 20L packs Building Better Blood 9

1800 009 847 Registered Trade Mark of Virbac (Australia)

10 Virbac (Australia) Pty. Ltd. 361 Horsley Road, Milperra NSW 2214, Australia FREE CALL: Registered Trade Mark of Virbac (Australia) Pty Limited. Copyright, Virbac (Australia) Pty Limited, All rights reserved. VIR025

IRON MANGANESE 6/6/2018. Minerals & Performance : Total Performance, Total Performance Plus

IRON MANGANESE 6/6/2018. Minerals & Performance : Total Performance, Total Performance Plus Minerals & Performance : Total Performance, Total Performance Plus June Educational Webinar 2018 Dr Tania Cubitt Performance Horse Nutrition IRON Heme oxygen carrying capacity Iron deficiency rare Iron