Approach to the horse with weight loss Flashcards
What are the mechanisms involved in weight loss in horses?
Weight loss in horses can result from reduced intake, reduced digestion and absorption, increased losses, and increased requirements.
What factors can lead to reduced intake in horses?
Reduced intake can occur due to inappropriate feeding practices, dental disorders, dysphagia, and gastric disease.
What are dental disorders and how do they affect horses?
Dental disorders can cause pain or dysfunction in dental health, leading to difficulty in eating and reduced food intake.
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia refers to conditions affecting swallowing, which can prevent proper intake of nutrients.
What are some causes of reduced digestion and absorption in horses?
Causes include malabsorption syndromes, liver disease, and protein losing enteropathy.
What is protein losing enteropathy?
Protein losing enteropathy results in significant loss of protein through the gastrointestinal tract.
What factors contribute to increased losses in weight?
Increased losses can be due to protein losing enteropathy or nephropathy and sequestration.
What are increased requirements in horses?
Increased requirements occur during pregnancy, lactation, and systemic diseases, raising metabolic demands.
What is the first step in formulating a diagnostic plan for weight loss?
The first step is to assess the horse’s clinical history, including diet, deworming history, and dental health.
What should be included in the physical examination for weight loss?
The physical examination should include Body Condition Score (BCS), signs of edema, fever, jaundice, and oral/dental examination.
What laboratory tests are important for diagnosing weight loss?
Important tests include targeted blood tests for liver and kidney function, hematology, and serum protein analysis.
What additional diagnostic procedures may be necessary?
Additional procedures can include abdominocentesis, fecal analysis, and imaging such as ultrasound.
What should be done if initial tests do not yield a diagnosis?
If initial tests are inconclusive, further specialized testing may be warranted based on clinical findings.
