Blood test results on foal: HIGH zinc, phosphorus, copper

[JoZ]

I have a foal that had a long, unhealthy-looking coat that wasn't shedding out. Additionally he is prone to loose manure.

My vet tested for a set of minerals (she read the list to me but I didn't get it all down). He is very high for zinc and phosphorus and moderately high for copper. Everything else including selenium is normal. I am not sure where to go from here.

- He is only on pasture which is excellent (usually).
- Two other foals with him have beautiful coats, as do the mares.
- Symptoms of zinc and phosphorus toxicity do not match his, i.e. do not mention coat or loose manure and do mention things that no one is exhibiting

We clipped him and his hair is coming in nicely. I would be inclined to not worry if she HADN'T done the test. Now I don't know. Test other horses? Test the grass or soil? Test him again? Supplement him (and if so, how not to exacerbate the high values)? Vet is researching but of course so am I. Thanks.

[Cherry]

JoZ, I know this sounds off the wall but you might have the foal's thyroid tested--I've read that sometimes foals can have thyroid issues. It's not common but I'm thinking the loose manure can be a symptom of overdrinking. Overdrinking itself is not supposed to be a clinical symptom for thyroid issues but the thyroid regulates the use of water in the body, sending water to places it generally isn't supposed to be. Anytime I hear of unusual swelling (or loose bowels) in a horse I, personally, am curious about the animal's thyroid function. Crappy coats are often linked to thyroid issues.

I know there are ways of getting toxic things out of the body--if there's an overload of one thing you give something else to get the body to give up the toxic "thing". Unfortunately I don't know offhand what is used to rid the body of zinc. High phosphorus can be offset by feeding calcium carbonate which can be purchased at most any feed store, but I can't tell you how much to feed.

Frankly, I would look at the thyroid before making any feeding changes--if the thyroid is supported by diet perhaps everything will straighten itself out. Maybe you want to consult a horse nutritionist such as Dr. Kellon, Dr. Sarah Ralston, or Melyni Worth to set your mind at ease.....

I think if the foal's thyroid and diet is addressed things will fall back into place. I'd love to know the outcome of this! ;)