High phosphate levels in blood

[GingerTrotter]

Vets are investigating why my horse is very lethargic.
Bloods were taken and all tests clear including electrolyte levels except a high phosphate level.
Kidneys and renal problems rules out as calcium levels are normal.
Feeding ruled out as no unusual plants in his field, no weed spaying etc, hard feed basic and nothing unusual.
Vet is off to do more research and they are phoning at the end of the week to see if they want to test hormone levels for hyperthyroid problems.

Anyone else had a similar issue and what was the outcome?

Thanks for reading.
X

 

[ycbm]

I found this. It's a bit worrying, but one of the things it lists is muscle myopathies and they are being increasingly diagnosed. Reluctance to move is a symptom. There are lots of threads and advice about PSSM on the forum if you do a search. It might be worth checking if other symptoms fit. If so, large doses of vitamin E may be all you need, and it might not be a bad idea to start that straight away anyway, if your vet agrees. I hope you find a simple cause and he's back to normal soon.

https://www.vetstream.com/treat/equis/diseases/hyperphosphatemia
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[GingerTrotter]

I found this. It's a bit worrying, but one of the things it lists is muscle myopathies and they are being increasingly diagnosed. Reluctance to move is a symptom. There are lots of threads and advice about PSSM on the forum if you do a search. It might be worth checking if other symptoms fit. If so, large doses of vitamin E may be all you need, and it might not be a bad idea to start that straight away anyway, if your vet agrees. I hope you find a simple cause and he's back to normal soon.

https://www.vetstream.com/treat/equis/diseases/hyperphosphatemia
.

Thank you for that info.
I've googled it and he doesn't seem stiff at all.
It seems the fitter hes got the more lethargic he's become which sort of fits with that. He pees a couple times on a long hack (2hrs or more) but its always clear and healthy looking.
Overall he looks healthy and content, just exhausted.
Its a weird one!

 

[Gloi]

Was Cushings tested for and ruled out because the peeing on hacks and tiredness were the symptoms mine was showing when he developed it.

 

[GingerTrotter]

Here is a video of me trotting him up on Sunday after he slipped in a stubble field the day before. It was after this I called the vet out as even the new stubble fields failed to raise him out of a lazy canter ?

 

[GingerTrotter]

Was Cushings tested for and ruled out because the peeing on hacks and tiredness were the symptoms mine was showing when he developed it.

He got tested for cushings last summer as he got some weird swellings but it turned out to be a reaction to flies in the end. The test was clear

 

[GingerTrotter]

Update:
Vets came back and said the high phosphate level was just a bad sample as it was a hot day and it degraded in the car before it got to the lab
So they scoped for ulcers to investigate and he has hind gut ulcers. Im waiting on the report and the advice on medications. That was on Friday. I have changed his feeding over the weekend and removed all grains and my feed balacer and switched to just chaff, readigrass and speedibeet. Tonight he bounced off down the field and cantered about! First time in a month! He was so much happier.
I'm wondering if he even needs the meds after all and just a diet change was required.

 

[Muddywellies]

Update:
Vets came back and said the high phosphate level was just a bad sample as it was a hot day and it degraded in the car before it got to the lab
So they scoped for ulcers to investigate and he has hind gut ulcers. Im waiting on the report and the advice on medications. That was on Friday. I have changed his feeding over the weekend and removed all grains and my feed balacer and switched to just chaff, readigrass and speedibeet. Tonight he bounced off down the field and cantered about! First time in a month! He was so much happier.
I'm wondering if he even needs the meds after all and just a diet change was required.

How were hind gut ulcers diagnosed? Has the vet come back to you yet with a treatment plan?

 

[GingerTrotter]

He was scoped.
the meds they have him on are cytotec 200mg and sucralfate 100% which I give 2x a day in a chaff and sugarbeet feed
After 8 days on the meds he is fairly lively again, bucking and playing in the field which is delightful to see! I've not ridden him yet but will hopefully get back on in a week or so and see how he feels.

 

[Muddywellies]

Scoping doesn't reach hind gut so just wondering how the vet diagnosed it? I believe Cytotec (misoprostol) is prescribed for gastric ulcers, so are you sure hind gut have been diagnosed? (sorry but I searched for hind gut ulcers posts looking for info, and yours popped up)

 

[GingerTrotter]

I actually could well be wrong witb saying its hind gut. The vet said they were on the exit of his stomach. So I assumed that was his hind gut... my ignorance I think! Sorry