Nutritional management of muscle atrophy in an underweight horse with mild vitamin E deficiency and mild intestinal malabsorption (opens in new tab)

Muscle atrophy in horses can develop insidiously, and often goes unnoticed until significant weight loss occurs. In this case report, the nutritional management is described of an eight-year-old underweight Ardennes draft gelding presenting with severe muscle atrophy, mild vitamin E deficiency, and mild intestinal malabsorption. Diagnostic evaluation revealed hypoalbuminemia, elevated muscle enzyme activity, and a moderate strongyle infestation. Despite an energy-adequate diet, progressive mu...