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 Amount Seems Excessive
Summary
A normal 1000 lb horse urinates about 2.5 gallons (8-9 liters) per day. The amount generally relates to the amount of water ingested balanced with the amount of water lost through sweat, and other factors.
The most frequent reason that horses urinate excessively is because they drink excessively. In most cases, you will notice increased water consumption along with increased urination. Excessive drinking is most commonly a habitual behavior known by vets as psychogenic polydypsia. It is a condition found almost entirely in stabled horses.
However, excessive urination (along with excessive drinking) can also be a sign of other disease. Common conditions that cause excessive urination include PPID (Cushing's Disease) and kidney failure.
The most frequent reason that horses urinate excessively is because they drink excessively. In most cases, you will notice increased water consumption along with increased urination. Excessive drinking is most commonly a habitual behavior known by vets as psychogenic polydypsia. It is a condition found almost entirely in stabled horses.
However, excessive urination (along with excessive drinking) can also be a sign of other disease. Common conditions that cause excessive urination include PPID (Cushing's Disease) and kidney failure.
-
Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If the horse's appetite and attitude are normal and you see nothing else wrong.
-
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 the horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to the horse's attitude and appetite. Try to measure the amount of water that your horse is drinking using buckets or water tanks rather than an automatic waterer. Your vet may also suggest that you collect a urine sample.What Not To Do
Do not restrict your horse's water intake unless directed to do so by your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet will examine the horse and may suggest blood lab work as part of a diagnostic workup. The goal of the exam is to rule out disease states, leaving the most likely diagnosis as psychogenic polydipsea.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does your horse seem normal otherwise?
- What is the appearance of the horse's urine?
- How is the horse managed?
- How much water is your horse drinking per day?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
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.
Less Common
Rare
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
