An investigation as to the etiology of azoturia

Abstract

Azoturia is a disease affecting horses. There are various synonyms of which “Hemoglobinuria” and “Monday Morning Sickness” are common. It is most common in working horses. Animals that are worked hard during the week and allowed to stand in the stable over the week end without exercise and without any decrease in the ration given on working days are most often affected. When exercise begins they are apt to show stiffness and lameness in muscles of the hindquarters. Paralysis of quarters is common and animals get down. They often die as a result of the changes having taken place in the tissues and in spite of any treatment.

The disease has been attributed to several different causes such as myogenic autointoxication, the formation of an hemolytic ferment, a very profuse formation of urea and other extractives, an abnormal amount of dextrose producing a myositis and secondary nephritis. Uremic poisoning is also given as a cause. Much emphasis has been laid upon the abundance of extractives either as a result of tissue changes or as a product of digestion.

Average readings in mgms. per 100 C.C. of blood for normal horses and four cases of azoturia reported in 1921 as well as twelve cases of azoturia from which samples were obtained in 1922-1923 and not as yet reported are appended.