Grass Sickness - Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of grass sickness in the live animal requires a thorough clinical examination including a rectal examination. Definitive diagnosis can only be made at surgery (where biopsies of the gut are taken) or at post-mortem (where biopsies from the nerves are taken). Differential diagnoses for grass sickness are varied and include: any other cause of colic and weight loss, tying-up, laminitis, botulism, choke and dental problems.