title: A retrospective study of horses investigated for weight loss despite a good appetite (2002-2011).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Weight loss despite a good appetite is a frequent diagnostic challenge for equine veterinarians; however, there are few objective reports and little descriptive information regarding risk factors and prognostic indicators.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide a descriptive epidemiological analysis of horses evaluated for weight loss despite a good appetite and evaluate relationships between historical and clinicopathological findings and final outcome (survival vs. nonsurvival) to identify risk factors and prognostic indicators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of horses referred for investigation of weight loss despite a good appetite were reviewed. Data collated included history, case details, clinical and diagnostic findings, diagnoses and outcome. Univariable associations were evaluated with a Mann-Whitney U test (continuous data), Fisher's exact test (categorical or binary data) or Pearson's rank correlation (continuous data), with P≤0.05 significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty cases met the inclusion criteria. Total protein (P = 0.004) and albumin concentrations (P = 0.0008) at admission were higher in survivors than nonsurvivors, with total protein (r(2) = 0.31; P = 0.002) and albumin (r(2) = 0.36; P = 0.0002) positively correlated with outcome. Hypoproteinaemic (P = 0.008, odds ratio (OR) = 12, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.99-72.4) and hypoalbuminaemic (P = 0.0009, OR = 28, 95% CI = 2.94-266.6) animals were at greater odds for nonsurvival. Body condition score was positively correlated with total protein (r(2) = 0.16; P = 0.05) and albumin (r(2) = 0.53; P<0.0001) concentrations at admission and duration of clinical signs (r(2) = 0.19; P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The severity of hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were related with nonsurvival. Body condition score and albumin concentration could potentially be used as prognostic indicators for survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the importance of body condition assessment in conjunction with clinicopathological evaluation in horses with weight loss despite a good appetite.
authors.affiliation: Section of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: L V A
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: More
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Duggan
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*