Gelding is peeing. A LOT.

[TBROCKS]

Last fall we adopted an older (14) TB for a husband horse. He’s a wonderful guy.

Over the past couple of months I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of urine this guy puts out. He absolutely soaks his stall, where the other horses stalled for the same amount of time might have a small wet spot or two. He has access to two water buckets in his stall, and he drinks about the same amount as my other guys, nothing excessive. He has free choice water outside of course, and I don’t notice him lingering near the trough any more than the other horses do.

It does seem like every time I look at him in his turnout, he’s peeing. His urine looks lighter to me (less concentrated).

He was underweight when we got him but put weight on easily enough. He’s turned out on grass except for about 4 hours a day. He gets a mix of Timothy/alfalfa and coastal hay, Seminole wellness compete and soaked beet pulp.

I’m going to have blood pulled to look at his kidney function etc., but does anyone have any experience with this? Just wondering what could be the problem while we wait for the farm call next week.

[Texarkana]

Increased urination is often a symptom of metabolic disorders…

[JLR1]

My guess would also be metabolic…cushings or insulin resistance.

[flyracing]

Cushings would be my first thought. A month of pergolide would likely tell you if that’s the culprit.

[TBROCKS]

thanks all

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=flyracing;8169512]
Cushings would be my first thought. A month of pergolide would likely tell you if that’s the culprit.[/QUOTE]

A Cushings test would likely tell you if that’s the culprit.

[Chief2]

Or…if he is turned out on a lot of grassy acreage, grass contains a lot of water, acts as a diuretic, and increases the urine output.

[flyracing]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8169818]
A Cushings test would likely tell you if that’s the culprit.[/QUOTE]

I wish that were true! Would make my life easier

Here’s a quote from a veterinarian (article below has a lot more info for those interested):

“One limitation of the currently available diagnostic tests is that they may not detect early Cushing’s disease. An experienced veterinarian may, therefore, recommend a six-month trial period on pergolide on the basis of clinical judgment alone.”

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/25236/cushings-disease-or-equine-metabolic-syndrome

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=flyracing;8169995]
I wish that were true! Would make my life easier

Here’s a quote from a veterinarian (article below has a lot more info for those interested):

“One limitation of the currently available diagnostic tests is that they may not detect early Cushing’s disease. An experienced veterinarian may, therefore, recommend a six-month trial period on pergolide on the basis of clinical judgment alone.”

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/25236/cushings-disease-or-equine-metabolic-syndrome[/QUOTE]

I (personally) would start with the test and go from there.

[IPEsq]

Did he get the alfalfa before this started? Alfalfa can make them pee more.

[Scratch_N_Dent]

Hi, the barn I ride at lost a horse a few years back as a result of kidney disease. The first indication was excessive urination.

[ThegoodLife]

[QUOTE=Scratch N Dent;8170761]
Hi, the barn I ride at lost a horse a few years back as a result of kidney disease. The first indication was excessive urination.[/QUOTE]

I have had a similar experience.

[Skeezix]

We have an old gelding who pees excessively (and drinks), which was diagnosed as kidney disease.

[SquishTheBunny]

Definitely measure his water intake, this will help let vet know if he is actually pu/pd. Alfalfa and grass will make them dink amid urinate more but if this is “new” and food hasn’t changed then it definitely calls for a work up. Hope everything is ok! He sounds young and not a typical signalment for cushings, but your vet will suggest whether he has other symptoms that might suggest further investigation in that direction.

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=TBROCKS;8169314]
Last fall we adopted an older (14) TB for a husband horse. He’s a wonderful guy.

Over the past couple of months I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of urine this guy puts out. He absolutely soaks his stall, where the other horses stalled for the same amount of time might have a small wet spot or two. He has access to two water buckets in his stall, and he drinks about the same amount as my other guys, nothing excessive. He has free choice water outside of course, and I don’t notice him lingering near the trough any more than the other horses do.

It does seem like every time I look at him in his turnout, he’s peeing. His urine looks lighter to me (less concentrated).

He was underweight when we got him but put weight on easily enough. He’s turned out on grass except for about 4 hours a day. He gets a mix of Timothy/alfalfa and coastal hay, Seminole wellness compete and soaked beet pulp.

I’m going to have blood pulled to look at his kidney function etc., but does anyone have any experience with this? Just wondering what could be the problem while we wait for the farm call next week.[/QUOTE]

If you’ve only noticed this since the grass came in, it may be a “symptom” of SPRING! Early-season grass with normal rainfall holds so much moisture it can come to almost completely replace drinking water and they WILL have a lot to get rid of. However, the same would apply to your other horses assuming they have as much grazing time on similar pasture. Some guys also have a habit of “holding it” until they get in a stall full of nice fluffy shavings, and then letting rip with everything they’ve been saving up since you turned them out. :lol:

Could be Cushing’s, could be kidney problems, etc. as others have said, but 14 is young for most of that stuff, so have the vet look for your peace of mind but don’t panic. It may well just be the change of seasons.