Anhidrosis in a horse - case report

Abstract

Equine anhidrosis is the inability of the animal to sweat appropriately upon stimuli, which may lead to serious heat stress problems and consequent reproductive problems such as testicular degeneration. Anhidrosis has a high prevalence in animals kept in hot and humid environments and its pathogenesis may be related to a progressive failure in the secretory process, glandular degeneration or reduction in the responses of the glands in contact with adrenaline. The disorder can be considered partial or complete, and the main clinical signs are those related to heat stress such as hyperthermia, tachypnoea, apathy, lethargy, anorexia and dermatological problems. The diagnosis is made using semi-quantitative intradermal adrenaline or β2 agonist tests. The management of this condition should mainly involve removing the animal from the stress-inducing environment.