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 Dark Yellow
Summary
Dark urine is usually a sign of urine concentration, the body's natural way of conserving water. When the blood pressure is low, the kidney pulls back as much water from the filtered urine as possible, making it less dilute.
Dehydration is the most common cause of this observation, however any disease process that causes reduced blood flow to the kidneys will also have this effect. This observation can also be confused with urine that is stained dark brown by the presence of myoglobin, a muscle pigment shed into the blood when muscle cells are damaged. In most cases, horses with myoglobin in their urine have "tied up".
Horses tend to drink less water in the winter, especially if their water is not heated. Consider providing a heated water source to horses wintering in cold climates. Always provide a white salt source. If the problem persists, consider talking to your vet about stimulating thirst with supplemented oral electrolytes.
Dehydration is the most common cause of this observation, however any disease process that causes reduced blood flow to the kidneys will also have this effect. This observation can also be confused with urine that is stained dark brown by the presence of myoglobin, a muscle pigment shed into the blood when muscle cells are damaged. In most cases, horses with myoglobin in their urine have "tied up".
Horses tend to drink less water in the winter, especially if their water is not heated. Consider providing a heated water source to horses wintering in cold climates. Always provide a white salt source. If the problem persists, consider talking to your vet about stimulating thirst with supplemented oral electrolytes.
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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.
- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
Always provide plenty of access to fresh, clean water. You may monitor your horse for awhile and contact your vet if your horse's urine color does not return to normal or is decreased in volume.Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to heart rate, hydration with skin pinch on the shoulder, mucous membrane color and capillary refill time, and general attitude and appetite. If the horse shows any other signs of illness, such as depression or not eating, involve your vet right away.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet rules out disease conditions using a combination of physical exam, blood work and urinalysis.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Do the horses have access to open (or warmed) water?
- Does the horse have constant access to fresh water?
- Does the horse's attitude and appetite seem normal?
- 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.
Less Common
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
