Muscle enzymes in blood ????

[Cobsndogs]

My friends usually fit dressage horse has been lacking energy/stamina recently, also tripping, dragging hooves when ridden. It was suggested by vet she may have a virus and a tonic was given. However there has been little change in the past month, and blood tests have shown muscle enzymes, what does this mean?. Friend has been told to continue flatwork as normal but no jumping. Any ideas anyone?.

 

[beetlejuice]

is she prone to tying up?

 

[royal]

Typically, there are two muscle enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK).

These enzymes relate to horses tying up (azortoria) and the levels that they present can show at what stage the horse is ie: recovering from an attack, suffering an attack etc.

The typical range for the AST levels are from 500 and lower, while CK levels can vary from 200 to 500

They also peak at different times following an attack ie: AST peaks after about 8 hours and has a half life of about 7 days ish. CK peaks within 2 - 6 hours and has a half life of about 2 hours.
A vet can determine the level of muscular damage and therefore treatment from these results.

Has the horse suffered any stiffness in its hind quarters?

Tell your friend to ask specifically about tying up / azortoria. If the horse has tied up and hasn't done this before, it will need very strict management as horses that tie up become prone to it.