Red Wee...

loopiesteff

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Horse in question - Bob, 16.3hh ID/Warmblood gelding - 14 years old.

Years and years ago, before I got Bob, he became very ill with colic, to the point he was in hospital on deaths door. He came through in the end and has been fine ever since, although it took a battering to his kidneys and liver (hence having a very specialised diet and supplements).

Whenever he's ridden or done any sort of work, he always has to wee afterwards (or depending how long he's working for, during) - and when he does so - it's slightly pinky/red in colour. Give it 15 minutes, he'll wee again, and it'll be normal wee colour.

Initially was very concerned about this, spoke to the old owners, and we put it down to it being a "Bob" thing due to his kidneys etc... He's always been absolutely fine in himself, eats all his food, hay, grass out in the field, never moans about doing work.

Rode him on Saturday, and, as clockwork - wee'd just as we finished. But this time it was BLOOD red. Was rather worried and after talking to experienced people at the yard, I kept a close eye on him all afternoon/evening and rang the vet who dealt with Bob when he was in hospital (as he knows him very well). Vet said that obviously it should not be blood red, but he said that with his kidney conditions, it could just be a Bob thing that we just need to keep one eye on in case, but he said as long as Bob is eating, drinking, pooing and weeing as normal, then he's not concerned.
Put him out in the field, and he wee'd again, normal colour. Of course, that night - he didn't eat his dinner. But had done by the morning.

I keep a very close eye on it, and the vet will be called out for a wee and blood sample if he wees BLOOD red again.

(NB: He had been out of work for 6 weeks and did a good hard hours work on Saturday)

So questions are:

Do other people have or had horses that have off-colour wee every now and then? (As I've looked online and there are plenty of discussions about it being a "commonish" thing in horses)

As for the not eating dinner straight away - although it may not look it - the grass is coming through - so many had just had enough at that time?

Could the exercise be putting pressure on his kidneys or something? He never seems in discomfort.


Sorry for the long blurb!

Any feedback/info appreciated!

Steph
 
Doesn’t sound at all normal to me and I’d be concerned personally. Even if he is showing no other symptoms I’d be wanting urine testing performed pre & post exercise as routine.

I’d also question the thought process of 1 hour hard work post 6 weeks off, but that is another issue. However it would bring me on to ask if he felt happy and forward in his work? If he felt at all lazy/stuffy/stiff then it might be worth considering azotouria, this will often result in a darkened reddy/brown urine, although not usually bright red.
 
I'd have a collection jar waiting next time, and also a litmus paper from your vet to do a blood reading.

It's not normal in any shape or form and I'd want further investigation.

I also wondered about azotouria which could be the result of over working the horse after some time off.......
 
I’d also question the thought process of 1 hour hard work post 6 weeks off, but that is another issue. However it would bring me on to ask if he felt happy and forward in his work?

He's been in work the last week or so, but Saturday was the longest I've ridden so far.

He was absolutely fine in his work, wasn't quabbling or anything. Good boy as per.
 
defently call vet and do some more test you will kick yourself if something happens and you could have maybe helped.
 
Vet is coming out on Thursday to take a wee and blood sample.

Turns out the kidney issue is due to an antibiotic that he was given when he had colic that's toxic to kidneys...

Thanks for the comments though people :)
 
The vet came out yesterday to take bloods from Bob - and was lucky enough to get the results the same day!

All levels in the blood were fine. Vet has ruled out azotemia as it only happens after exercise.

6 years ago Bob had colic surgery, and was given gentamicin as an antibiotic afterwards, which is toxic to kidneys - thus damaging them.

The vet thinks that when Bob is doing exercise, the red blood cells are leaking through the damaged part of the kidneys, and then coming out red in his wee.

He's going to do a urine test ANYWAY, just in case, but at the moment - there's nothing alarming in the blood.

The vet has known Bob for 10+ years so knows him inside and out and has dealt with all his issues, and has already begun the process of speaking to vets around the country to see if anyone else has experienced this.

As it stands - Bob is absolutely fine, there's nothing alarming showing up, and could possibly just be a "Bob" thing - although we're still investigating :)
 
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