AZOTURIA
(Tying Up, Set Fast) See also related conditions: EPSM, Shivers/Stringhalt
Signs can include any or all:
Sweating in excess of normal, Stiffness and reluctance to move, A rolling action of hindquarters if hind
legs are affected.A worried expression, pain and fast breathing, Raised heart rate and sometimes body
temperature. When exercise finishes pawing of the ground and signs of mild colic, Repeated attempts to
urinate. Urine may be red with blood in bad cases hence the name azoturia which means red urine.
Causes:
It has traditionally been put down to a rich diet, because it typically effects horses in hard work more than
others, which is not sufficiently reduced on days of rest. When next hard exersice is introduced the
symptoms appear. Blood supply to muscles is disrupted because of diet and possibly stress. Also
excitable horses seem to suffer more. Levels of Vitamin E, Selenium and Magnesium may be too low
and electrolyte inbalance may be present. A Viral infection may be present.
Veterinary treatment:
Bute as an anti-inflammatory and to prevent more muscle damage Sedatives to calm, Fluids to aid detox
of the system and Blood tests to determine other factors that may be present.
Owners of such horses may wish to ensure that diet, management and exercise programmes are
the best possible to both manage and prevent onset:
1. When an acute attack occurs keep the horse warm and comfortable, rugged up in a deep bed. Reduce
feeding to top quality hay and water and use a detox formula to clear the system. Call your vet.
2. American vet Dr Beth Valentine has done extensive research into this and the related conditions and
concludes that such horses are intolerant of the carbohydrates in grains and pelleted feeds and
recommends that they be replaced with vegetable oil. This is not so difficult as it might seem nor so
expensive as, weight for weight oils give over 3 times the calories as carbohydrates in grains etc.
E.G. 2 cups of oil weigh about 1lb and provide 4,000 calories whereas 1lb of oats, corn or pellets
only provide 1,200/1,400 calories.
3. Part of the hard feed can also be replaced with alfalfa and a good supply of vitamin E, selenium and
magnesium is essential. Good quality hay or pasture should still make up the bulk of any equine diet and
hard feed increases should only follow and not precede the build up to hard work. Remember that only
horses in racing or Olympic training together with top performance and endurance horses can be said to
be in hard work.
4. Daily turn out during recovery is vital according to Dr Valentine and then the build up in work must be
very gentle.Use an exercise blanket to keep the quarters warm on cold, wet days. Reduce the hard feed
on the night before and on days of rest and when using bran ensure an adequate calcium supplement to
counter any leaching of this element.