TRANSIENT GLUCOSE MALABSORPTION IN 2 HORSES - FACT OR ARTIFACT

Two horses, presented for investigation of chronic weight loss despite normal to increased feed intake, had flat oral glucose absorption cur ves, suggesting malabsorption. The cause of the apparent malabsorption was not evident grossly or on light microscopic examination of the in testinal tract. Both horses survived long term and at follow-up examin ation had regained weight and their capacity to absorb glucose. These cases illustrate that flat glucose absorption curves may occur in hors es with no obvious intestinal lesions, that they may revert to normal and that the results of these tests should be interpreted with caution .