Azoturia 



527 



262 (2222) 



An investigation as to the etiology of azoturia. 

 By C. E. HAYDEN. 



[From the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell Uni- 

 versity, Ithaca, New York.] 



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 with- 

 out any decrease in the ration given on working days are most 

 often affected. When exercise begins they are apt to show stiff- 

 ness 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 hemo- 

 lytic ferment, a very profuse formation of urea and other ex- 

 tractives, 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 ex- 

 tractives 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. 



1921 



Total 

 non-pro 

 tein ni- 

 trogen 



Urea 



Uric 

 acid 



Pre- 

 formed 

 Creatin- 

 ine 



Sugar 



Normal 





33.9 



18.71 



2.45 



1.81 



102.9 



Blood at height 



of 













azoturia 





30. 



18.8 



2.3 



1.7 



102.6 



Blood at recovery.. 





28.5 



17.1 



2.31 



1.87 



88.2 



Ave. twelve cases 



of 













azoturia 





38.34 



16.79 



2.81 



1.74 



121. 



1922-23 















