If your horse was weeing and drinking more than usual and..

A

__Annie__

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..was lethargic AND was generally grumpier AND minor cuts were taking longer to heal, what blood tests would you want doing?

A big thank you in anticipation of more helpful advise from the brilliant HHO team

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(I have the vet booked to take bloods on Wednesday)
 
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I am armed with a sample pot but she is yet to oblige
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They never go when you want them to!
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I think you have done the right thing by getting the vet out and armed with the information you will present to him he will know what to test for, so don't worry.
 
Hi, s
she's 14 years old .

I've asked them to test her glucose levels ( for my peace of mind) and anything else they deem useful given her symptoms.

Any more ideas peeps?

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Get the vet out to test for cushings, we though my mare might have it last year, her bed was absolutly soaking every morning, but she wasnt drinking more than usual and turned out tob enothing...But blood tests, urine sample, add some extra vits and mins to her diet?
 
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surely the vet will know what tests to have done?!?

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My faith in my vet has been rather diminished of late
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Our choice of vets is limited and I hope I have chosen the best of what's on offer

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I wouldn't worry, I'm sure your vet won't rely on you to devise his/her diagnostic plan. Believe it or not it's this knowledge that you pay them for, not their technical ability to collect blood.

Your vet will probably try to get you to measure the amount of water your horse is drinking in the first instance (normal is 15 -30 ml/kg/day) to check that your mare is really consuming an abnormal amount. They will probably then do a blood count, biochemistry and urinalysis. What they do next will be based on these findings.

Most likely cause is cushing's, but could be renal insufficiency/failure or a number of other things.

If I were you I'd wait and see what your vet says rather than trying to second guess them.
 
I feed her the recommended amount for her weight of Blue chip lami lite and Blue chip Dynamic plus a handful of Hi Fi lite to mix. She chomps up to 8kg of haylage a night too.

I'd hope her vits and mins levels are O.K

Thanks though
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I admit my first thought was diabetes, can horses get that?, but this is why I asked you guys for your thoughts, Cheers
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Difficult to guess, but you have done the right thing anyway by contacting your vet.

I tend to concur with the other suggestions ie; cushings, infection or virus, kidney problem.

Fingers crossed it is something simple.
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I wouldn't worry, I'm sure your vet won't rely on you to devise his/her diagnostic plan. Believe it or not it's this knowledge that you pay them for, not their technical ability to collect blood.

Your vet will probably try to get you to measure the amount of water your horse is drinking in the first instance (normal is 15 -30 ml/kg/day) to check that your mare is really consuming an abnormal amount. They will probably then do a blood count, biochemistry and urinalysis. What they do next will be based on these findings.

Most likely cause is cushing's, but could be renal insufficiency/failure or a number of other things.

If I were you I'd wait and see what your vet says rather than trying to second guess them.

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Just trying to be proactive due to her history..

Last year my vet took x rays and prescribed bute and circulon (at different times) to investigate my mares lameness. The cost was over £500.00. My farrier also said her feet were fine.

I 'second guessed' and sought the opinion of another Farrier.

Turns out my mare had corns.

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Just re read my reply to you!
I didn't mean to sound ungrateful for your reply, as I said ALL thoughts are welcomed. I admit this is a sensitive subject to me.
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Primary diabetes mellitus is rare in horses, however cushing's also results in elevated glucose levels in the urine.

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Do horses with cushings always have a long curly coat or is that something that happens in the latter stages?

I ask as her coat is smooth with a mirror shine to it.
Well it is where her rug and hood has covered!
Her legs and belly hair is quite long and it is a bit curly on her lower limbs.
She's not clipped , in at night and out during the day with a 0g rambo excel rug on. I don't live in the U.K but the weather is pretty much the same!

Thanks
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I would measure your horses water intake over the next few days just to make sure she is outside the normal range.

Not that many things commonly cause an increase in urination/drinking in a horse, so your vet should be able to work it out! Hopefully it won't be anything to serious.
 
Not always, they may show one or some or all of the possible symptoms.

My horse was diagnosed with cushings 6 years ago and he still doesn't have the curly coat - it has started getting longer though in the last couple of years, still very shiny though.
 
Excessive hairgrowth occurs in about 70% of cases, so not all. If she is suffering from cushing's she may shed her coat more slowly this spring.

I would see what the vet says. Initial bloods should be able to rule out the scary stuff and give some pointers for further investigations.

It may also be the case that there is nothing wrong and her drinking habits have changed for another reason (temperature change, diet etc.)

Good luck.
 
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