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  Discussion on Puzzled?????
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 3, 2000 - 11:14 pm:

Dr. O---
I am quite puzzled right now with my horse. I have had him almost a year and his attitude towards working/showing etc... has always been very willing, until recently. He has been very sluggish at times to ride, moody, and hasn't shed out his winter coat yet. He got very little winter hair over this past winter(we live in Illinois), but has not yet lost that much of it. I show an average of 2 shows a month and noticed at the last show his urine looked like a brick red color---no new supplements, feed, etc... everything has stayed the same. Also has always been a very easy keeper and has started to lose some weight. I called my vet and he suggested pulling muscle enzymes. All were WNL. Urine seemed ok at last show. Should I be thinking possible enDrOcrine problem----thyroid? My last arab had a low thyroid condition. Suggestions?
Thanks!!!!

Posted on Sunday, Jun 4, 2000 - 11:54 am:

Could you tell us the age of the horse all of the abnormal findings on physical exam and all the laboratory work including the normal values? For information on diagnosis of the hypothyroidism in horses see the article associated with this forum.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 12, 2000 - 1:44 am:

Dr O---
Sorry it has taken me so long to write back. My horse is 10yrs old. I was just pulling at straws when I had my vet pull blood on him. His performance had not been up to par, had DrOpped a touch of weight, sluggish,--something was just not right with him. He pulled CPK and SGOT which were both normal. I started looking through articles here and thought there was a remote chance it was endocrine related and had a thyroid panel pulled on him--also ok. He just hasn't lost all his winter hair yet and I can't figure out why. His coat looks good, just more than he should have at this point in time. His attitude is better now, but I just feel like we are missing something. I will let you know if and when I figure it out.

Posted on Monday, Jun 12, 2000 - 1:52 am:

Dr O---
another thought---could any of this be due to over vitamin supplementation? Mainly vitamen E and Selenium?

Posted on Monday, Jun 12, 2000 - 9:44 pm:

Absolutely: chronic selenium toxicosis is not an uncommon problem in horses. See: The Horseman's Advisor: Equine Diseases: Respiratory System: Selenium Toxicosis. Also check out Cushinoid Disease on this menu, though your horse is young for it it is not unheard of in ahorse this young.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 14, 2000 - 1:43 am:

Thanks Dr. O for the advice. I did talk to my vet and scheduled an appt. next Mon. I will keep you updated!
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