AZOTURIA....DO YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS?

This is a condition known as "tying-up" and is seen  mostly in nervous thoroughbred fillies due to their hormonal influx, but all horses can experience this very painful condition.   Quarter horses are known to be predisposed to this ailment genetically.  An over-worked,  physically stressed animal is at high risk due to the body's inability to deliver enough oxygen to the muscles creating a toxic by-product that breaks down and builds up in the kidneys, causing possible damage to the kidneys if not treated correctly and as soon as possible. Genetic contributors are high glycogen content and deficient calcium regulation seen in the quarter horse.   Being able to detect is essential, but prevention is key.  Symptoms of tying-up are sudden short strides, refusal to move, hardening of the muscles in the crop area, hind quarter spasms, sweating and obvious signs of pain such as flaring of nostrils, pale gums, pawing.  The best treatment is to not ask the horse to move, keep standing, and encourage fluids to help flush kidneys.  It is important to keep the horse from getting chilled and protect the kidneys and do this by covering the flank area with a cooler blanket or what ever is handy.  Prevention is simply by not over-working an un-fit horse to physical exhaustion, keeping horse from dehydration, warming-up and cooling-down properly, and feeding a low carb, high fat diet has been known to help prevent this occurance.  The administration of bute may be advised.    If brown urine is observed, this indicates a high content of toxins in the kidneys.  This is created by the muscles tearing during movement and the toxins being released so it is paramount to consider this condition for a sudden refusal to move,  rule out Azoturia before forcing movement.