Azoturia- any experience?

[charlie76]

I bought a horse 4 weeks ago and she was lacking in muscle and topline. She is looking better but still needs a lot more.
We took her to dressage on Saturday in the wind and rain and did 2 prelim tests which she was 2nd and 3rd in.

Yesterday I turned her out and she ran around for half an hour or so and then she settled(again the weather was terrible).
She was out all day and when she came in at 5 ish she refused to move. We managed to get her in but she was ever so stiff on both hind legs and looked as thought she was wobbling side ways on her hind legs.
When you pushed her quaters she cringed and tucked her bottom under her.

I gave her bute and she seems much better today and moving normally.
Does this sound like Azoturia?

I am going to feed her electrolytes. Any other ideas?

thanks!

 

[AmyMay]

Does sound like Azoturia. Have you been feeding a conditioning mix at all??

Did you get the vet up to take some bloods and examine her??

 

[Heidi1]

Does sound like. I had a rather frightening expericen with one of my TB's two years ago, I was try to get weight on her, but what I was feeding was not helping, so after talking to various feed companies, I changed her feed totally, she doesn't have any mixes, cereal content was too much, on high fibre cubes, equilibra, selenivite E, chaff (alfa a with soya oil) additional soya oil, she has access to a salt lick 24/7 and when worked, if it is windy and cold she has an exercise sheet on, at show she is warmed up with a rug over her quarters.

Hope this helps....

 

[charlie76]

I didn't have her blood tested as it wasn't a major attack.

Thanks for the info- will def use an exercise sheet in future.

She is on nuts and fibregy with a small amount of unmollased beet.

 

[UKa]

Hi, unfortunately I have experience with azoturia, main thing is that if horse is still and doesnt want to move DONT MAKE HIM! this would cause further muscle damage. Depending on how sever the attack you may be able to start slow work quite soon but best to have a few days in stable with just a few minutes walk each day (that is if the horse wants to move otherwise you need to have them stay put) Best thing is to put the horse on high fibre, high oil (no cereal or sugar!) diet and when exercising, always warm up very carefully (e.g at least 10mins walk at start and end) - also needs to be kept exercised regularly best to turn out as much as poss. I also use exercise sheet when riding and avoid getting a chill. this is it in a nutshell but let us know how you get on or if you need any further help!

 

[Twiglet]

Definitely sounds like azoturia or something similar.

I echo the advice from UKa above re: feeds and exercise. Mixes are generally not good for tying up - even the ones specially designed for the condition still have starch - and a fibre only diet will be the safest way to go. Look for as little starch as possible, and non-molassed. Dengie, Baileys and D&H all provide excellent advice on feeding for azoturia sufferers, because there are certain minerals that can help the condition - also, the protein levels need to be monitored closely.

Would recommend getting blood tests next time it happens - this measures the level of a protein (the name I've forgotten - creotin or something?!) in the blood, which will denote the serverity of the attack. If your horse is having them regularly, you need to keep an eye on the levels of the protein to ensure that it's not getting progressively worse.

Warming up and cooling down is essential - particularly the cooling down, so that the muscles are recovering from work correctly.

Best to speak to your vet for all the details, they're normally well versed on Monday Morning Disease.

I've found my gelding has responded terrifically to a fibre only diet, just chaff, high fibre cubes and lots of soya oil - is looking in better condition than ever, and holds his weight brilliantly - as he's not stressing it off.

 

[Marilyn]

Sounds like azoturia, I would get the vets to come and have a look

 

[wizzi901]

hi there, is this the one you were talking about the other day? (in which case I hadnt forgotten you but could not get hold of the bod I was going to ask!!).

Does sound like azoturia. My oldie (Titch) has had it twice, it seemed to stem from him being on the go all day at comps and not having a bit of trickle feeding going on.

Last attack was about 2 years ago, I do however only use a cereal based mix the day before a comp (staypower as he is old and needs all the help he can get!). Other than that we keep him on alfa A, Bit of sugarbeet (cider vinegar and corn oil) and oodles ad lib hay which seems to have knocked it into touch....

Just out of interest, did she go a long time at the comp without a nibble of hay etc? Only curious as it was the long days when we were on the go all the time and didnt have time for a break for hay etc that titch tied up ever.

The times when he got a chance to chill and stuff his face, he was fine...

Glad to hear all is going well nevertheless!!

 

[wizzi901]

forgot to say, best not whilst she is tying up but I swear by a guiness in their feed when its horrible damp and crappy weather. Its not for everyone but if your horse can tolerate it, it does seem to have better effect than electrolytes....

 

[tazet]

hi i used to have a TB that also suffered from it i found that adding salt to the feed and acces to a salt lick and extra electrolites when he worked hard seemed to stop any future attacks well that was 9 years ago and still nothing