Page 966 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Clinical signs

These include:
VetBooks.ir • delayed shedding of a long and uneven hair coat

• growing a long curly coat of coarse hair that is not shed in summer (Figures 20.2a, b and

c)

• fading or changing hair colour
• poor temperature control and increased sweating

• lethargy

• reduced athletic performance

• drinking more than usual
• passing more urine than normal

• a good appetite but loss of condition

• loss of muscle tissue along the top line giving the horse a sway-backed appearance

• uncharacteristic grumpiness
• a rather pendulous abdomen due to weakness and wasting of the abdominal muscles (the

animal appears pot-bellied)

• recurrent attacks of laminitis
• poor healing and increased susceptibility to parasitic disease and infection, e.g. dental,

sinus, skin and foot infections due to supression of the immune system

• abnormal fat deposits above or around the eye.