A STROKE OF MISFORTUNE

If a horse in heat stress isn’t cooled down quickly, his condition may progress rapidly to heat stroke. If his body temperature rises to 106 degrees Fahrenheit for a prolonged period, or if it tops 108 degrees for as little as 15 minutes, the damage to his body may be irreversible. Which organ is likely to show the first signs of the most serious effects of prolonged high temperatures? a. the heart b. the brain c. the kidneys d. the gut Answer: b. the brain. Much of the metabolic work that goes on in the body is performed by proteins called enzymes, but these large molecules are heat-sensitive. If they get too hot, or stay hot for too long, their chemical structures can change, affecting their ability to function. The brain contains many proteins, and it is the site of many enzymatic reactions that influence the entire body. So the brain is one of the first organs to experience the effects of elevated heat, and the signs of damage to this organ can be widespread. A horse with heat stroke may be stumbling or have difficulty moving at all; his behavior may be anxious, irrational or erratic; he may be depressed, disoriented or oblivious to his surroundings; he may collapse or go into convulsions. If a horse survives the initial bout of heat stroke, he may still develop colic, laminitis, kidney failure, liver failure and other serious issues stemming from damage to his internal organs.