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Blood testing:
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Haematology and biochemistry
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Liver enzymes
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Kidney enzymes
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Urea/Creatinine as indicator of
kidney function
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Bile acids as indicator of liver function
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Blood cell count may indicate
◆
Infection
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Lymphosarcoma
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Specific ACTH assay (for ‘Cushing's
disease’)
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Urine testing:
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Glucose/ketones (in ‘Cushing's
disease’)
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Protein
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Bacteria
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Liver biopsy
(a test used when liver
disease is suspected)
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Glucose tolerance test
(to check
that glucose uptake from the gut
is normal)
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Rectal examination
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Abdominal fluid sampling
(can be
useful to identify some cases of
abdominal tumours)
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Abdominal ultrasound
(to examine
gut wall, and liver and kidneys. May
identify some abdominal masses)
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Endoscopic examination of stomach
lining (‘Gastroscopy’)
to check for
gastric ulceration
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Faecal worm egg count (‘WEC’)
to
check for adult gutworms
SUMMARY
INVESTIGATION OF
WEIGHT LOSS
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History taking
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Examination of feed/pasture
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Dental examination
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Initial physical examination
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Specific examinations as indicated
(e.g. rectal examination, Gastroscopy)
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Selection of diagnostic tests required
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Secondary tests
Case Study
This horse was in good condition when
loaned out 8 weeks previously over the
cold spell last winter. The open sore on
its withers was produced by the turnout
rug which no longer fitted.
When reclaimed by its owner the horse
was ravenously hungry but after veterinary
examination, with adequate provision of
spring grass it regained its normal weight
within a few weeks.
WE I GH T L O S S
WHY DOES WEIGHT LOSS OCCUR?
Insufficient nutrient intake
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Inadequate food
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Poor quality (low nutrient value)
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Insufficient quantity provided
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Poor palatability
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Unsuitable presentation (e.g. short
cropped grass for pony with worn
incisor teeth or seed hay for old pony
with no molar teeth)
❖
Poor appetite
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Stress or anxiety
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Gastric ulceration
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Systemic disease (e.g. Strangles)
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Pain (e.g. lameness)
❖
Inability to eat
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Dental/oral pain
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Difficulty swallowing (e.g. Grass
Sickness)
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Poor mobility (unable to reach
food easily)
Excessive nutrient loss
❖
Inability to adequately chew
(which aids digestion and therefore
nutrient uptake)
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Oral pain (e.g. Loose teeth, dental
overgrowths, periodontal disease)
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Lack of molar teeth (especially in
old age)
❖
Kidney disease (nutrients lost
into urine)
❖
Diarrhoea (nutrients lost into
faeces)
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Feed intolerance (especially to haylage)
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Internal parasites especially small
roundworms (Cyathostomes)
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Bacterial overgrowths (e.g. following
antibiotic treatments)
AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
10
Figure 1.
Tests which may
be used to investigate
weight loss
Weight Loss