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VETERINARY ADVICE
Over the past five years, vet Stephen Ashdown has written many articles, spoken on equine matters and contributed widely to horse magazines.

Here he reproduces in the form of questions and answers about 100 topics, all of them common problems which afflict horses.

To access Topics click on Vet Advice Menu.

Water works
Q: Two weeks ago I bought my first horse, a 12-year-old 16hh, 7/8 TB. I have noticed that when he passes water it is a normal colour but at the end of the flow it tends to turn dark brown. Is this symptomatic of something serious?

A: Equine urine is normally either colourless or yellow and quite cloudy. Colour and cloudiness change as the bladder is fully emptied. I think it would be best for you to take a sample of your horse's urine to the vet and ensure it is tested very soon after it is taken. It should be refrigerated if not analysed within half an hour and the sample should be taken in the middle of passing water.

When left to stand normal urine often turns red/brow but the vet will look for sign of too much protein, blood and white blood cells

 

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