The Clinical Presentation of Grass Sickness
Dr. Scott Pirie – Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
Summary of the clinical signs of grass sickness, associated with the three forms of the disease
| ACUTE | SUBACUTE | CHRONIC |
| Depression/somnolence Distended abdomen Tachycardia (high heart rate) Salivation Gastric reflux Muscle tremors Ptosis (drooping eyelids) Patchy/generalised sweating Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Small intestinal distension Colic (occasionally) Ileus (absence of gut sounds) | “Tucked up” abdomen Weight loss Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Tachycardia Colic (usually low grade) Gastric reflux (may or may not be present) Patchy sweating Ptosis (drooping eyelids) Muscle tremors Colon impaction Reduced gut motility Rhinitis sicca (dried and inflamed nasal passages) | Severe weight loss Markedly “tucked up” abdomen Base narrow stance Rhinitis sicca (inflamed nasal passages) Ptosis (drooping eyelids) Slightly elevated heart rate (< 60 bpm usually) Muscle tremors Patchy sweating Mild colic Reduced gut motility |
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