Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Urine Stream Slow or Weak
Summary
A weak, slow urine stream can be associated with a variety of illnesses, including bladder dysfunction (usually neurologic disease), bladder stone or other obstruction, generalized weakness, shock or pain, dehydration, or obstruction of the urethra.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the horse seems distressed or in pain with urination.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If you consider this a chronic and relatively mild problem that is not changing rapidly.
- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) and monitor this problem. If this condition persists or worsens, or is accompanied by any other signs of illness, contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Less Common
your vet's role
Your vet may advise you to take a "wait and see" approach or suggest that they examine your horse. Rectal examination and ultrasound, neurologic evaluation and bladder catheterization may be used, along with a variety of other diagnostics, in order to determine the nature of the condition causing the sign.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- How old is the horse?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- Does the horse seem to be in pain or distress?
- Does the horse's appetite and attitude seem normal?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- When did you first notice this?
- Do you notice any apparent unsteadiness or wobbliness?
- Do you notice other signs?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Less Common
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Neoplasia, Tumor or Cancer, Bladder
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Sabulous Cystitis, Urolithiasis
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Cystitis, Bladder Inflammation or Infection
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Urinary Tract Conditions, Generally
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Older Horse Ataxia & Weakness
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Within Normal Limits, Normal for this Horse
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Bladder & Urethral Stones
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Cauda Equina Neuritis
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Johnson or Sudan Grass Toxicity
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
