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Diagnostic
Tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what is wrong with your horse, in order to reach a diagnosis.

Cost: Under $100

These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.

YOUR VET MAY PERFORM

CK AST & LDH Tests for Muscle Problems

Cost: Under $100

These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.

Summary

These laboratory tests are commonly used to make a definitive diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis (muscle tissue damage), also known as "tying up."

Creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are normal muscle enzymes that are released in excessive amounts when muscle cells are damaged. The amount of elevation is indicative of the number of muscle cells damaged. CK is usually the first to rise and the first to fall. LDH peaks more slowly and stays in the blood longer.

Blood is collected and tested in the laboratory for these enzymes. In most cases, this test is quickly performed in the clinic.

Why A Vet Chooses This Diagnostic

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Related Observations

Your vet might choose this diagnostic test if you were making these observations.

Very Common
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BENEFITS
Monitoring both of these enzyme values over a period of time helps vets understand more about the timing and nature of muscle problems and the effectiveness of treatment. They are sensitive indicators of muscle damage.

This test may be repeated throughout a treatment course to determine the efficacy of treatment or the progression of the disease

LIMITATIONS

The levels of these enzymes say nothing about the cause of the injury, they are only indicative of muscle cell damage.

If this test cannot be performed in-clinic, there will be a time delay due to offsite processing.

Horses can have muscle soreness without damaging the muscle cells and releasing these enzymes, so horses can be in muscle pain without having elevations in these enzymes.

Author: Doug Thal DVM Dipl. ABVP