Topic:Weight Loss
Weight loss in horses refers to a reduction in body weight that can occur due to various factors such as inadequate nutrition, illness, parasitic infections, dental problems, or increased energy expenditure. It is a condition that can affect horses of all ages and breeds and may indicate underlying health issues. Monitoring weight changes is important for maintaining equine health and ensuring optimal performance. This topic includes research on the causes, diagnosis, and management of weight loss in horses. Studies often focus on nutritional assessments, veterinary evaluations, and the development of feeding strategies to address and prevent weight loss. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the mechanisms, implications, and treatment approaches for weight loss in horses.
Caecocaecal and caecocolic intussusceptions associated with larval cyathostomosis in four young horses. This report describes the clinical and pathological features of 4 horses affected by caecocaecal or caecocolic intussusceptions associated with larval cyathostomiasis. In each case, there was clinical and/or pathological evidence of concurrent larval cyathostomosis. They all demonstrated variable signs including diarrhoea, pyrexia, weight loss and subcutaneous oedema and cyathostome larvae were identified in the faeces of 3 of the horses. These cases highlight the need to consider caecal intussusceptions as a possible complication in horses affected by larval cyathostomosis, especially where s...
Equine lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis: a retrospective study of 14 cases. Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is a morphological diagnosis given to a type of infiltrative intestinal disease classified within the complex of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the details of breed, age and sex, clinical and clinicopathological findings and outcome of horses diagnosed with LPE. Data were reported from 14 horses that had a histopathological diagnosis of LPE; the median age was 12 years, and there was no breed or sex predilection. Common clinical signs were weight loss (100%), diarrhoea (50%) and lethar...
Larval cyathostomiasis. Over the past few years, cyathostomiasis has become increasingly recognized as a clinical problem of horses in the United States. Clinical cyathostomiasis has been reported frequently in Europe for a considerable time. This clinical syndrome is usually related to the sudden release of large numbers of the larval stages of small strongyles from the mucosa of the large intestine. Typical clinical signs include diarrhea, ventral abdominal edema, pyrexia, colic, weight loss, and poor body condition. Hypoalbuminemia and the presence of large numbers of small strongyles being passed in the feces are...
[Gastric ulceration in horses: etiology, diagnosis, and therapy: a review]. Since it has become possible to make an ante-mortem diagnosis of gastric ulceration in horses by means of endoscopy, interest in the presence and treatment of this syndrome has increased. Several endoscopic surveys have indicated that the frequency of gastric ulceration in Thoroughbreds in training is fairly high. Less is known about other breeds and horses that are kept under different (training) conditions. The equine stomach is covered by two different kinds of mucous membranes: squamous and glandular. These two areas differ from one another in the incidence and aetiology of ulceration and,...
Prolonged food restriction and mild exercise in Shetland ponies: effects on weight gain, thyroid hormone concentrations and muscle Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. We determined the effects of food supply and low-intensity training on growth, serum thyroid hormone levels and the Na(+),K(+)-pump concentration in equine skeletal muscle. Twenty-two Shetland ponies were subjected to two different feeding regimes for 2(1/2) years (11 ponies per group): food restriction (body condition score kept at 2) or ad libitum fed (body condition score kept at 8). Five ponies in each group underwent low-intensity training. Gluteus medius muscle and serum samples were obtained in April 1998. Subsequently, all ponies were fed ad libitum and the training programme was stopp...
Dehydration, stress, and water consumption of horses during long-distance commercial transport. The aim of this study was to characterize progressive dehydration, stress responses, and water consumption patterns of horses transported long distances in hot weather and to estimate recovery time after 30 h of transport. Thirty adult mares and geldings were deprived of access to feed and water for 6 h, blocked by age, sex, breed, and body condition score, and assigned to one of the following treatments: penned, offered water (Penned/Watered, n = 5); penned, no water (Penned, n = 5); transported, offered water (Transported/Watered, two groups of n = 5); or transported, no water (Transported, ...
[Severe combined immunodefiency disease (SCID) in the Arabian horse]. Severe-Combined-Immunodeficiency-Disease (SCID) is discussed with special reference to its pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, pathology, and diagnosis. The disorder has been observed in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia and is characterized by an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The clinical features of the disease seen in Arab foals under 46 days of age are intermittent fever, (adenoviral) pneumonia, and weight loss sometimes associated with diarrhoea. From 1998 on, the SCID gene can be detected in the Netherlands by means of DNA analysis.
Equine proliferative enteropathy: a cause of weight loss, colic, diarrhoea and hypoproteinaemia in foals on three breeding farms in Canada. Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is a transmissible enteric disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. An outbreak of equine PE was diagnosed in foals from 3 breeding farms. Most foals had been weaned prior to the appearance of clinical signs, which included depression, rapid and marked weight loss, subcutaneous oedema, diarrhoea and colic. Poor body condition with a rough haircoat and a potbellied appearance were common findings in affected foals. Respiratory tract infection, dermatitis and intestinal parasitism were also found in some foals. Haematological and plasma biochemical abnormalities...
A 10-day toxicity study of toltrazuril 5% suspension in the horse. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disorder of the nervous system of horses caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Recently, toltrazuril has begun to be used for treatment of EPM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of toltrazuril in horses when administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 10 days. Five horses were given 50 mg/kg of toltrazuril once daily for 10 days by nasogastric tube. Complete blood cell counts, serum chemistry values, and coagulation panels were evaluated before and after treatment; then a full postmortem examination was completed on day 1...
Chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases of the horse. A review of reported cases of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) of horses for which no etiology was identified included cases of granulomatous enteritis (GE), multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED), lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis (LPE), and idiopathic eosinophilic enterocolitis (EC). The terms EC and MEED were both used to describe a disease in horses characterized by infiltration of intestine and extraintestinal tissues with eosinophils. We use EC to describe IBD characterized by only intestinal infiltration by eosinophils. Horses with GE, MEED, or LPE are usually e...
Extramedullary plasmacytoma in a horse with ptyalism and dysphagia. A Clydesdale mare was examined for weight loss, inappetence, ptyalism, and dysphagia. The main abnormality revealed by serum biochemistry was a marked hyperglobulinemia, and protein electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal gammopathy in the gamma region. The urine was positive for Bence Jones proteins. These findings suggested a plasma cell tumor. The neoplasm could not be located with extensive antemortem examination. At postmortem, neoplastic cells morphologically compatible with plasma cells and positive for equine IgG with imunoperoxidase staining infiltrated the pericardium, mediastinal stro...
Gastric impaction and obstruction of the small intestine associated with persimmon phytobezoar in a horse. Signs of mild colic, intermittent lethargy, and weight loss of 6 weeks' duration in a 2-year-old Quarter Horse gelding were attributed to persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) phytobezoar formation. Diagnosis of the phytobezoar was facilitated by gastric endoscopy. Signs of gastrointestinal tract obstruction were associated with a large phytobezoar in the lumen of the stomach, gastric ulceration, and obstruction of the small intestine (as a consequence of fragmentation of the primary bezoar). Conservative treatment, using mineral oil and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, was unsuccessful. A celiotomy ...
Leukoproliferative disorders in horses. Leukoproliferative disorders reported in horses include lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, plasma cell myeloma, granulocytic leukemia, monocytic leukemia, myelomonocytic leukemia, and eosinophilic leukemia. Lymphoma affects horses of all ages, whereas leukemias often occur in younger horses. Clinical signs are often nonspecific including depression, anorexia, fever, and weight loss. Specialized diagnostic techniques such as cytochemistry and immunophenotyping better define the cellular origin of leukoproliferative disorders, which is essential for developing appropriate therapeutic protocols and ...
Hepatoblastoma with erythrocytosis in a young female horse. A 2.5-year-old female Thoroughbred was examined because of lethargy, anorexia, and weight loss. Analysis of a CBC revealed erythrocytosis and an increase in PCV. Serum biochemical analysis revealed increases in activities of several hepatic enzymes. Ultrasonography revealed hepatomegaly and a heterogeneous appearance of the hepatic parenchyma. The horse did not improve despite supportive care, and it was euthanatized. Necropsy revealed numerous raised white to gray foci in the liver. Histologically, these foci consisted of neoplastic cells that resembled fetal hepatocytes, embryonal-type cells...
Ulceration and stricture of the right dorsal colon after phenylbutazone administration in four horses. Four cases of ulceration and stricture of the right dorsal colon were encountered. Ulceration of the right dorsal colon is generally associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) toxicosis but there are few reports of stricture following ulceration. All four horses had recent phenylbutazone use: three had been given doses well in excess of the recommended dose and in one the dose was marginally above those recommended but was combined with administration of other NSAIDs. All four horses presented with intermittent low-grade colic, weight loss and ventral oedema. Diarrhoea was als...
Frusemide and weight carriage alter the acid:base responses of horses to incremental and to brief intense exertion. We speculated that frusemide would attenuate the acidosis associated with intense exertion, and that weight carriage would mitigate this effect. Therefore, in each of 2 experiments we measured pulmonary artery and systemic arterial blood pH, PCO2, PO2 and pulmonary artery temperature in 9 horses during exertion on a treadmill after each of 3 treatments. The treatments were: 1) injection of saline solution (C), 2) injection of frusemide (1 mg/kg bwt, i.v. 4 h before running) (FU) and 3) injection of frusemide (F) as for FU and the horses carried weight equal to that lost in the 4 h after frusem...
Electrolyte and glycerol supplementation improve water intake by horses performing a simulated 60 km endurance ride. To replace electrolytes lost in sweat during endurance competitions, riders frequently supplement horses with hypertonic oral electrolyte pastes. To determine whether this practice and concurrent administration of the so-called hyperhydrating substance glycerol are of benefit, weight loss, voluntary water intake, plasma osmolality, and plasma protein and electrolyte concentrations were measured in 6 Arabian horses supplemented with a total of 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (W); 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (E); or 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg ...
Effects of electrolyte and glycerol supplementation on recovery from endurance exercise. Incomplete recovery from endurance exercise after an overnight rest period is reflected by persisting weight loss and an elevated plasma aldosterone concentration, even in successful competitors. To determine whether supplementation with high doses of electrolytes, with or without glycerol, enhances recovery, the following were measured in 6 Arabian horses before and after completion of a 60 km treadmill exercise test simulating an endurance ride and after 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of recovery: bodyweight; plasma osmolality; plasma concentrations of protein, electrolytes, aldosterone and cortisol; ...
Small intestinal adenomatous polyposis resulting in protein-losing enteropathy in a horse. A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented with a history of weight loss of 6 months duration, along with extensive ventral subcutaneous edema. Clinicopathologic findings included a markedly low serum total protein (2.9 g/dl) and a low packed cell volume (24%). The mucosal surface of the distal jejunum and entire ileum were carpeted with numerous polypoid, papillary, and glandular masses comprised of pseudostratified tall columnar cells and large numbers of interspersed goblet cells. Neoplastic change was diffuse throughout the mucosa of each mass, but abrupt demarcation occurred between...
Responses of horses to trailer design, duration, and floor area during commercial transportation to slaughter. Nine trailer loads of horses (n = 306) transported to slaughter facilities with distances ranging 596 to 2,496 km were studied to characterize the type of horses used in commercial markets and the physiological responses and number of injuries due to transportation under summer environmental conditions. Slaughter horse candidates were middle-aged (11.4+/-.4 yr), possessed moderately fleshy body condition, weighed 432+/-3.3 kg, and were of Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred breeding. The mean weight loss during commercial transport was 4%. The percentage of injured horses was greater (P < .05) fo...
Effect of intravenous administration of furosemide on mass-specific maximal oxygen consumption and breathing mechanics in exercising horses. To determine whether i.v. administration of furosemide (250 mg) to horses before maximal exercise affected maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), breathing mechanics, or gas exchange during exercise. Methods: 7 healthy, well-conditioned Thoroughbred horses. Methods: 5 horses initially performed an incremental treadmill exercise test to determine VO2max 4 hours after i.v. administration of furosemide (250 mg i.v.) or placebo (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution). Time to fatigue and distance run were recorded. All 7 horses were then used to determine the effects of furosemide on gas exchange and breathin...
Clinicopathological features of equine primary hepatic disease: a review of 50 cases. The clinicopathological features of 50 cases of equine hepatic disease were reviewed. There was a wide range of clinical signs and at least 50 per cent of the animals exhibited either dull demeanour, anorexia, abdominal pain, cerebral dysfunction and/or weight loss. Life-threatening complications of hepatic failure recorded were: gastric impaction in 10 cases, bilateral laryngeal paralysis in seven cases and coagulopathy in five cases. All the cases had high activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and most had high activities of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and high concentrations of ...
Lawsonia intracellularis-like organism infection in a miniature foal. A 7-month-old foal was admitted to the hospital with a history of lethargy, weight loss, mild diarrhea, and anorexia. A diagnosis of proliferative enteritis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis-like organisms was made after necropsy and histologic examination of the small intestine. Although infection with L intracellularis-like organisms is a rare cause of enteritis in foals, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially if the foal was housed in the proximity of pigs or pig feces. Antemortem diagnosis remains challenging because isolation of the organism in fecal material r...
[A Shetland pony with a squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach]. A 12-year-old Shetland pony was referred because of weight loss over several months and symptoms of colic. On rectal examination, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and an abnormal mass in the left anterior abdominal cavity were palpated. Haematological evaluation revealed leucocytosis (13 G.l-1) and an abnormal electrophoretic pattern (31.8% albumin, 18.8% alpha-globulins, 29.0% beta-globulins, 20.4% gamma-globulins). Peritoneal fluid collected by abdominal paracentesis did not contain neoplastic cells. Gastroscopy was performed and a mass, with areas of ulceration and necrosis, was visualized w...
Ultrasound as an aid for diagnosis of ovarian abscesses in two mares. This report describes two mares presented for evaluation of anorexia, fever of unknown origin, and weight loss. Clinical examination, laboratory findings, and transrectal ultrasonographic images suggested ovarian abscessation. One mare was successfully treated medically. Because of financial considerations, the second mare was euthanatized and a postmortem examination was performed. At necropsy, there was an enlarged right ovary with an adhesion to the large colon. Microscopic findings were characteristic of an ovarian abscess.
Hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis in homozygous and heterozygous horses: a co-dominant genetic condition. Historical, clinical and experimental data were collected from 9 horses homozygous for HYPP (H/H). All showed episodes of respiratory stertor, described as a rattling or honking sound, usually within the first week post partum. Five horses had one or more episodes of dysphagia, in 3 horses this was accompanied by drooling and in 3 by weight loss. In comparison, only one of 35 contemporaneous half siblings (of which approximately half would be expected to be of the H/N genotype and half N/N) was observed to have respiratory stertor prior to weaning and none had problems with dysphagia. One matu...
The effect of dietary protein on reproduction in the mare. VII. Embryonic development, early embryonic death, foetal losses and their relationship with serum progestagen. Sixty-four Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arab mares aged 6-12 years were randomly allocated to 4 dietary groups and fed diets that differed in the total protein content and quality (essential amino-acids). Forty mares were non-lactating and 24 lactating. Eight mares were withdrawn from the investigation owing to injuries or gynaecological pathology. An overall conception rate of 94.6% and a foaling rate of 80% was achieved. Five of 14 (35.7%) mares (Group 1) fed a low-quality protein diet suffered from early embryonic loss before 90 days of pregnancy compared to 3 of 41 (7.3%) mares in the remaining ...
Hepatotoxicity associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloid (Crotalaria spp) ingestion in a horse on Easter Island. Since 1984, a significant number of privately owned and feral horses on Easter Island have died of a syndrome consisting of progressive anorexia, weight loss, obtundation, and other central nervous system abnormalities. A single horse experiencing clinical signs of the reported syndrome was identified, examined and necropsied. Clinical signs included inappetence, emaciation, ataxia and icterus. Gross necropsy findings included hepatic enlargement and mottling, ascites and gastric impaction. Histopathological lesions included hepatic hemorrhage and necrosis, periportal megalocytosis, portal fib...
Abdominal neoplasia (excluding urogenital tract). Neoplasia of the equine gastrointestinal tract and abdominal organs occurs predominantly in geriatric horses, although lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma and a few other neoplasms can be found in young horses. This article discusses diagnostics that can be used in weight-loss situations, suspicious of neoplasia, as well as tumors themselves including clinical signs, diagnostic tools, histopathologic appearance, and management.
Effect of moderate exercise on the severity of clinical signs associated with influenza virus infection in horses. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if exercising horses, infected with influenza virus, exacerbates the severity of clinical disease. Eight horses were trained on a treadmill for 42 days and then challenged with aerosolised influenza A/equine/Kentucky/91 (H3N8). Following challenge, 4 horses (exercise group) continued training for 28 days, while the other 4 horses (nonexercise group) were confined to their stalls. All horses developed clinical signs within 36 h of challenge (fever, coughing, and mucopurulent nasal discharge) and clinical scores were greater in the exercise group. ...