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 appears White, Cloudy or Milky
Summary
Normal horses have high concentrations of crystals in their urine compared to many other species. These crystals typically settle to the bottom of the bladder. A cloud of pale urine is commonly noticed at the end of urination, and is especially noticeable in mares.
Horse urine may contain a large amount of calcium carbonate that looks like a whitish-green slurry. Horses fed high alfalfa diets tend to have more crystal content in their urine.
Generally, this finding is considered normal and is not a cause for concern unless accompanied by straining to urinate, slow urination, blood in the urine, depression, poor appetite or other abnormal behavior.
Rarely, urine sediments can turn into a heavy sludge that is never completely voided, and this can be a serious problem.
Horse urine may contain a large amount of calcium carbonate that looks like a whitish-green slurry. Horses fed high alfalfa diets tend to have more crystal content in their urine.
Generally, this finding is considered normal and is not a cause for concern unless accompanied by straining to urinate, slow urination, blood in the urine, depression, poor appetite or other abnormal behavior.
Rarely, urine sediments can turn into a heavy sludge that is never completely voided, and this can be a serious problem.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If you notice slow or difficult urination, or dribbling of urine.
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Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources- If you have questions about how management or feeding might affect this.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to attitude and appetite. Watch for straining or apparent difficult urination. Contact your vet if you have questions or concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
Less Common
your vet's role
Your vet uses physical examination, and examination of the urinary tract by palpation and ultrasound, along with urinalysis, to determine the significance of this problem.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does the horse's behavior seem normal otherwise?
- When did you first notice this problem?
- Is the horse straining or groaning during urination?
- Does the horse's urine stream seem slow or weak?
- Do you notice blood in the horse's urine?
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.
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)
