The Clinical Presentation of Grass Sickness
Dr. Scott Pirie – Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
Summary of the clinical signs of grass sickness, associated with the three forms of the disease
ACUTE |
SUBACUTE |
CHRONIC |
- Depression/somnolence
- Distended abdomen
- Ileus (absence of gut sounds)
- Tachycardia (high heart rate)
- Salivation
- Gastric reflux
- Muscle tremors
- Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
- Patchy/generalised sweating
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Small intestinal distension
- Colic (occasionally)
- Colon impactions (occasionally)
|
- “Tucked up” abdomen
- Weight loss
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Tachycardia
- Colic (as disease progresses)
- Gastric reflux (as disease progresses)
- Patchy sweating
- Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
- Muscle tremors
- Colon impaction
- Reduced gut motility
- Rhinitis sicca (dried and inflamed nasal passages)
|
- Severe weight loss
- Markedly “tucked up” abdomen
- Base narrow stance
- Rhinitis sicca (inflamed nasal passages)
- Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
- Slightly elevated heart rate (< 60 bpm usually)
- Muscle tremors
- Patchy sweating
- Mild colic
- Reduced gut motility
|
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