What is AST in blood test for horses?

What does it mean if my horse has elevated AST levels?

When levels are elevated, it can indicate liver or muscle problems. It should be kept in mind that when AST is used for monitoring muscle problems, AST builds up slowly and remains in the blood for some time after something like a tying-up episode. One use of AST by some veterinarians is as an indicator of how a horse is handling training.

What is ast used for in horse racing?

One use of AST by some veterinarians is as an indicator of how a horse is handling training. Alan McGregor, BVCSc, of McGregor Veterinary Clinic in Bunbury, Western Australia, said he uses blood-based analysis on many of his racing clients’ horses.

What does AST and CK mean in horses?

Combined with CK measurements, AST provides a useful measurement of muscle damage in cases of ‘tying up’. Bilirubin – Bilirubin, excreted from the liver in bile, may be increased in the horse in cases of anorexia or some liver conditions.

What does it mean when your AST is high?

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) – Elevated AST levels are seen in cases of acute liver or muscle damage. Levels peak 24 – 48 hours following injury and will return to normal 10 – 21 days following resolution. Combined with CK measurements, AST provides a useful measurement of muscle damage in cases of ‘tying up’.

What is an all weather surface in horse racing?

An artificial surface (usually polytrack or fibresand in the UK) on which racing takes place. Lingfield, Kempton, Wolverhamption and Dundalk all have all weather surfaces. Betting on a race well before the day of the event that includes all possible runners. Ante post bets that fail to take part will be counted as losers.

What is a standing start horse race?

In standing start races, the horses line up behind lines across the track. Often horses begin at different distances to provide better competition and even the field.

What does high AST levels in a horse mean?

High AST levels in a horse that has not exercised recently, without a concurrent increase in CK levels, may be indicative of liver disease. AST/ SGOT for Racehorses This enzyme is found in several tissues but is most significant in liver and muscle in the horse.

What does high CK mean in a horse?

Creatine Kinase (CK)– CK occurs in high levels in skeletal and cardiac muscle. In the horse, increased levels almost always signify acute muscle damage. Levels peak 6 – 12 hours following injury and can return to normal levels in 3 – 4 days. CK is often assessed alongside AST when assessing muscle damage.

What causes high CK and cortisol in horses?

Cortisol – Blood cortisol levels may be increased in horses with Cushing’s disease or in stressed horses. Creatine Kinase (CK) – CK occurs in high levels in skeletal and cardiac muscle. In the horse, increased levels almost always signify acute muscle damage.

How long does it take for CK to go up in horses?

In the horse, increased levels almost always signify acute muscle damage. Levels peak 6 – 12 hours following injury and can return to normal levels in 3 – 4 days. CK is often assessed alongside AST when assessing muscle damage. Creatinine – Creatinine is excreted from the blood by the kidneys.

What does AST test for in horses?

Combined with CK measurements, AST provides a useful measurement of muscle damage in cases of ‘tying up’. Bilirubin – Bilirubin, excreted from the liver in bile, may be increased in the horse in cases of anorexia or some liver conditions. Bile acids – These are excreted as bile salts in the bile.

Why does AST increase in dogs with muscle injury?

In dogs, the degree of increase in AST is proportionally higher than that of ALT activity with muscle injury potentially helping to discriminate between hepatic and muscle sources of ALT activity increases in dogs with severe muscle injury ( Valentine et al 1990 ).

What does it mean if your AST is low?

Low levels of AST are normally found in the blood. When body tissue or an organ such as the heart or liver is diseased or damaged, additional AST is released into the bloodstream. The amount of AST in the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage.

What is a standing start in horse racing?

The other kind of start to race is a standing start, where there are tapes across the track and the horses stand stationary behind the tapes before the start. This enables handicaps to be placed on horses according to class.

How does a horse racing starter start a race?

When the starter is satisfied that all horses are in place and ready to start the race, he presses a button, cutting the electric current, simultaneously opening the front stall doors, ringing a loud bell, and sending a signal to the totalizator system that the race is begun and no more bets should be accepted.

Who invented the horse racing starting system?

Throughout the history of horse racing, there have been proposals as to how better to start a race. A commonly used starting system for horse races was devised in the mid nineteenth century by Admiral Rous, a steward of the Jockey Club and public handicapper.

What does it mean when a horse has an elevated CK?

Kidney-related blood tests such as creatinine and BUN can be important to pay attention to if your horse has a significantly elevated CK test. What it is: Sugar circulating in your horse’s bloodstream.

What does high CK mean in blood work?

What it is: CK enzyme breaks down substances related to energy storage to release energy for muscle contraction. What it tells you: Elevated CK values point toward muscle breakdown, and are most commonly seen after a tie-up (severe muscle cramping) episode.

What does high CK mean in horses?

Creatine Kinase (CK) – CK occurs in high levels in skeletal and cardiac muscle. In the horse, increased levels almost always signify acute muscle damage. Levels peak 6 – 12 hours following injury and can return to normal levels in 3 – 4 days.

What causes high creatinine levels in horses?

Increased levels of creatinine may be seen in horses with primary kidney disease or with other conditions affecting the kidneys such as dehydration, shock and post renal obstructions. Gamma Glutamyl-transferase (GGT) – GGT is found in certain liver cells.