Every horse or pony which is admitted to the Laminitis Clinic has urine and blood samples collected and submitted to the following analyses in order to try and identify any signs of systemic disease;

Blood: 4 samples; clotted, heparin, oxalate/fluoride and EDTA samples

Urine: plain urine in a clean container

Haematology including platelet count and differential WBC count

Serum biochemistry for; Alkaline phosphatase, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, AST, Gamma GT, Bile acids, GLDH, LDH, Bilirubin, Total protein, Globulin, Albumin, Protein electrophoresis, Urea, Creatinine, Glucose, Non esterified fatty acids, CPK, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Phosphate.

Urine; Creatinine, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Phosphate, pH, SG, blood, glucose, protein, ketone, bilirubin, colour, sediment.

In addition should there be any clinical signs indicating endocrine abnormalities one or both of the following tests are made.

Test for Equine Cushing's Disease and Metabolic Syndrome. (Requires a special test and transport kit from Cambridge Specialist Laboratory Services) Blood to be taken at 0900 hours, after an overnight fast, via syringe i.e. not into glass. To measure endogenous ACTH, cortisol, insulin and glucose

Test for Thyroid Abnormalities. TRH response test. Requires a basal clotted sample taken at 0900 hours after an overnight fast, then injection of 1 mg TRH i/v, and further clotted samples taken 60 and 240 minutes after the baseline sample. Measure T3, T4.