This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Amy K White)
Hello,
I'll be happy to give my two cents worth here, and when I'm done
I think you will realize that I really mean two cents worth.
Equine hypothyroidism is probably one of the most over diagnosed
diseases of the horse. This is due to the lack of a definitive
diagnostic test for the condition.
The thyroid has its affect on many tissues and organs in the
body, therefore the symptoms can vary. Symptoms may include retarded
growth, increased sensitivity to cold, delayed coat shedding, a course
thickened appearance to the face, decreased feed consumption ( a fjord
with decreased feed consumption?! ), and weight gain. Some have proposed
that it may also be associated with infertility, hair loss, laminitis,
tying up, and anhidrosis (not sweating). Until a good diagnostic test is
developed these symptoms can't be confirmed.
The problem with the diagnosis is that we currently use the
circulating thyroid hormone levels in the blood as the measurement of
thyroid function. The problem with this is that these levels vary a lot.
They can vary from day to night and season to season within the same
horse. Other factors that affect levels include high protein or energy
diets, phenylbutazone ("bute"), steroid drugs, diets high in copper and
zinc, fasting, and stress. Also, the normal range for thyroid hormone is
based on a sampling of a variety of different horses. But levels may
vary breed to breed, so the normal range for fjords may naturally be
lower than for other horses.
The moral of this story is never make the diagnosis of
hypothyroidism based on one blood sample. Before testing, make note of
the medications your horse may have received recently. Take two samples
at different times of day or different times of the year. If you
consistently get low levels, combine that with any symptoms that the
horse may be showing, and a good health exam from your veterinarian to
make the diagnosis. Hopefully, we will soon have a better test as they
do in humans.
-Steve
Steve and Amy White
On Tue, 16 Jun 1998 09:16:48 -0500
Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>I have a request of Steve White, our vet and on this list who has
>recently
>seen Tank. Could you comment on the thyroid question?
>
>Cynthia Madden, Coordinator
>Office of Sponsored Programs & Research
>University of Nebraska at Omaha
>EAB 202, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182-0210
>Phone: (402) 554-2286 FAX: (402) 554-3698
>E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>http://www.unomaha.edu/~wwwspr/osp.html
>
>
>
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