Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse showing unsteady walk and depression with colic symptoms
By Sharkey, Leslie C et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2006·Department of Biomedical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Neurologic signs and hyperammonemia in a horse with colic.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 23-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was brought in for sudden problems with coordination and severe depression, along with a fever that had lasted for two days. The horse was very dehydrated and showed significant instability and ataxia (lack of coordination) in all four legs. After some tests, it was found that he had high levels of ammonia in his blood, likely due to gastrointestinal issues. Fortunately, after treating his dehydration and giving antibiotics, the horse's symptoms improved, and he was diagnosed with hyperammonemic neuropathy linked to his gut problems.
People also search for: horse ataxia treatment · why is my horse depressed · horse colic symptoms · high ammonia levels in horses · horse dehydration treatment
Abstract
A 23-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was referred for the evaluation of acute onset of ataxia and depression, and a 2-day history of fever. On physical examination, the gelding was profoundly depressed and 10-12% dehydrated. The horse appeared very unstable, with a wide-based stance in the hind limbs, severe symmetric ataxia in all 4 limbs, and proprioceptive deficits in both hind limbs. Nasogastric intubation produced 4 L of brown, fetid reflux, and rectal examination revealed mild small intestinal and cecal distention. Hematologic abnormalities included neutropenia with toxic change, compatible with acute inflammation and endotoxemia, and prolonged coagulation times. Serum biochemical abnormalities included prerenal azotemia. metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte abnormalities consistent with enteritis. Blood ammonia concentration was markedly increased (406 micromol/L; reference interval 4-49 micromol/L), however, serum bile acids concentration and hepatic enzyme activities were within reference intervals. Histopathologic examination of a liver biopsy revealed no abnormalities and results of tests for several infectious agents were negative. Clinical signs resolved with correction of the dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities and with antibiotic therapy. The horse was diagnosed with hyperammonemic neuropathy associated with gastrointestinal disease. In such cases, hyperammonemia is caused by increased production of ammonia by organisms in the gastrointestinal tract in combination with increased gut permeability that facilitates ammonia absorption.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16783725/