Archive Case #126: Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Clinical Clues

1. A fit horse becomes stiff and reluctant to move shortly after exercise begins.
2. The rider reports a rest day beforehand while the normal ration was continued.
3. Sweating and painful muscle fasciculations develop over the hindquarters.
4. The horse takes short rigid steps and resists turning.
5. Serum CK and AST activities rise sharply after the episode.
6. Equine exertional rhabdomyolysis, or tying up, is acute exercise-associated muscle damage.

Diagnosis

Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

This case is most consistent with Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis because the horse developed painful stiffness and muscle enzyme elevation shortly after exercise. The most important clues are the tying-up episode and hindquarter pain, which make a distal limb lameness less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.