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 abdomenIleus (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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