Page 1079 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

prognosis for recovery.

VetBooks.ir BILIRUBIN

Levels may be raised with anorexia, liver disease, massive internal haemorrhage or if large
numbers of red blood cells are being broken down.

ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE (AST)
Levels are raised with:

• acute liver damage

• acute muscle damage.

Levels are highest 24–48 hours after an episode of muscle damage. They gradually return to

normal over the next 10–21 days and are a good indicator of muscle recovery.

CREATINE KINASE (CK)

CK is raised with acute muscle damage; the levels peak at 6–12 hours and return to normal

after 2 days if no further damage occurs.

TROPONIN

This is used to monitor damage to heart muscle.

UREA

Urea is raised if the kidneys are not functioning normally or the horse is dehydrated.

CREATININE

This is also raised with kidney pathology.

TRIGLYCERIDES

Fat is stored in the body as triglycerides. These are raised in horses with hyperlipaemia.

GLUCOSE

This test is performed after a period of fasting. Horses and ponies with pituitary pars

intermedia dysfunction (PPID, Cushing’s disease) and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
often have abnormally high blood glucose levels. Glucose levels are measured in certain tests
to see if the gut absorption is normal.