Repeated major body system assessments are the mainstay for the assessment of sick horses and for monitoring effectiveness of therapy in these patients. However, selective diagnostic tests can be extremely valuable in order to assess the severity of disease, allow assessment of where the case can be managed (in the field, at the practice or require referral), can guide appropriateness of treatment, and in some instances provide information on the likely prognosis for that patient. From a practical point of view, these tests don't have to be expensive, many can be done horse-side and thus can provide instant results, but do require a move away from thoughts that all answers will be gleaned from a full haematology and biochemistry. This includes urinalysis, PCV, total solids and blood smear, blood lactate concentrations, blood gas analysis and electrolyte concentrations, fibrinogen and serum amyloid A concentrations and targeted biochemical testing (for example creatinine, glucose, cardiac troponin I, ammonia concentrations and bile acids).
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