OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Re-Feeding Syndrome
Summary
Horses that are severely underweight require careful dietary management, as it may take many months for a horse to return to a healthy weight and condition.
Re-feeding syndrome is a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance that is caused by an (often well-intended) attempt to put weight on a starved or severely emaciated horse.
Horses that have been starved are extremely fragile. Their digestive tract does not produce adequate enzymes or contain a healthy bacterial population for digestion.
A drastic increase of carbohydrates or glucose causes insulin levels to rise, which shifts the mineral balance that can result in kidney, heart and respiratory failure.
Re-feeding syndrome is a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance that is caused by an (often well-intended) attempt to put weight on a starved or severely emaciated horse.
Horses that have been starved are extremely fragile. Their digestive tract does not produce adequate enzymes or contain a healthy bacterial population for digestion.
A drastic increase of carbohydrates or glucose causes insulin levels to rise, which shifts the mineral balance that can result in kidney, heart and respiratory failure.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Guarded to good, depending on promptness of treatment and the overall health of the horse.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET