A horse that stops after a run due to muscle rigidity is diagnosed with what?

A horse that stops after a run due to muscle rigidity is diagnosed with what?

• A. Colic
• B. Exertional rhabdomyolysis
• C. Laminitis
• D. Anemia

Answer: (B)

Exertional rhabdomyolysis, often called tying-up, is diagnosed when a horse stops after a run because the muscles become rigid and painful after exertion. This condition occurs when exercised muscles cannot recover properly, leading to a stiff gait, reluctance to continue, and sometimes signs of muscle soreness. It is a post-exercise, muscle-focused problem rather than a primary abdominal issue or systemic blood deficiency. Colic involves abdominal pain with signs like pawing, flank watching, rolling, and sweating, not the characteristic post-run muscle rigidity. Laminitis causes hoof pain with a distinct stance and lameness related to the feet, not the generalized muscle stiffness after exercise. Anemia leads to fatigue and exercise intolerance due to low red blood cell count, but it does not produce acute post-exercise muscle rigidity.

Exertional rhabdomyolysis, often called tying-up, is diagnosed when a horse stops after a run because the muscles become rigid and painful after exertion. This condition occurs when exercised muscles cannot recover properly, leading to a stiff gait, reluctance to continue, and sometimes signs of muscle soreness. It is a post-exercise, muscle-focused problem rather than a primary abdominal issue or systemic blood deficiency.

Colic involves abdominal pain with signs like pawing, flank watching, rolling, and sweating, not the characteristic post-run muscle rigidity. Laminitis causes hoof pain with a distinct stance and lameness related to the feet, not the generalized muscle stiffness after exercise. Anemia leads to fatigue and exercise intolerance due to low red blood cell count, but it does not produce acute post-exercise muscle rigidity.