Horse · by age

Senior Horse: lab tests and health checks

The older years of a horse's life.

Older horses lose weight, change coat and slow down for many reasons, and some illnesses are easy to miss. Blood tests help your vet look at the kidneys, liver, thyroid and general health. This page lists the tests vets often discuss for older horses.

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Why testing changes at this age

With age the organs work less well and long-term problems appear. A calm yearly set of tests, repeated over time, shows the trend and not just one day.

What vets often check

The main checks for a senior horse

Kidneys and liver

KFT and LFT show how the main organs are coping.

Thyroid

Equine T4 is read with care, because illness and poor feeding can lower it.

Muscle and salts

CPK and electrolytes help when an older horse is stiff or weak.

General health

A CBC and equine SAA show anaemia, infection or inflammation.

A registered veterinarian chooses the tests that suit your animal's signs, age and history. This page is general information, not advice for one animal.

Health packages for a senior horse

Horses

Horse Health Check Panel

Blood count, liver, kidney, muscle enzyme, sugar, blood parasite and dung egg checks for horses.

CBC
LFT (liver function)
KFT (kidney function)
CPK (muscle enzyme)
Random blood sugar
+ 5 more tests
+ 2 more tests

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Tests to ask about

All horse tests

Haematology Popular

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC counts the red cells, white cells and platelets in a blood sample and can help show anaemia (low red cells), infection or inflammation (the body's reaction to injury). It suits dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes.

Whole blood (EDTA) · Popular

Sample: Whole blood (EDTA) (2 mL)
Report time: Same day to 24 hours

₹400

Biochemistry Popular

Liver Function Test (LFT)

A Liver Function Test (LFT) is a group of blood tests that can show how well the liver is working and whether it is under strain. It is done on serum from dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes.

Serum (plain) · Popular

Sample: Serum (plain) (2 mL)
Report time: Same day to 24 hours

₹700

Biochemistry Popular

Kidney Function Test (KFT)

A Kidney Function Test (KFT) is a group of blood tests that can show how well the kidneys are filtering waste out of the blood. It is done on serum from dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes.

Serum (plain) · Popular

Sample: Serum (plain) (2 mL)
Report time: Same day to 24 hours

₹700

Biochemistry

CPK (Creatine Phospho Kinase)

A CPK (creatine phospho kinase) test measures an enzyme that leaks into the blood when muscle is damaged. It is done on serum from dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes.

Serum (plain)

Sample: Serum (plain) (2 mL)
Report time: Same day to 24 hours

₹500

Biochemistry

Electrolytes, Serum (Na, K & Cl)

A serum electrolytes test measures sodium, potassium and chloride, the blood salts that control body water, nerves, muscles and heartbeat. It is done on serum from dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes.

Serum (plain)

Sample: Serum (plain) (2 mL)
Report time: Same day to 24 hours

₹450

Biochemistry

Glucose Random (RBS)

A Glucose Random (RBS) test measures the sugar in the blood at any time of day, with no fasting needed. It can help find diabetes, low sugar and energy problems in dogs, cats, cows and buffaloes.

Fluoride plasma

Sample: Fluoride plasma (2 mL)
Report time: Same day to 24 hours

₹180

Canine & Feline Specific Assays

Equine Serum Amyloid A (SAA)

Equine SAA measures serum amyloid A, a protein that rises quickly in a horse's blood when there is inflammation or infection. It can help your vet see whether a horse is unwell and how it is responding.

Serum (plain) or heparin plasma

Sample: Serum (plain) or heparin plasma
Report time: Confirmed when you book

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Canine & Feline Specific Assays

Equine T4 (Thyroxine)

Equine T4 measures thyroxine, the main thyroid hormone, in a horse's blood. It can help your vet look at thyroid function, but illness and some medicines can change the result.

Serum (plain)

Sample: Serum (plain)
Report time: Confirmed when you book

Call to confirm

Guides for a senior horse

Age & Life Stage 4 min read

Older Horse Lab Tests: Kidney, Liver and Thyroid

Blood tests in an older horse can help a vet look at the kidneys, liver and thyroid when the horse is losing weight or has a poor coat. They are a guide, not the whole answer.

18 Oct 2026

Horse Health 4 min read

Thyroid Testing in Horses: What Equine T4 Can and Cannot Show

An equine T4 test measures a thyroid hormone in a horse's blood. It can help show how the thyroid is working, but a low result is common in ill or underfed horses, so one result needs care.

18 Oct 2026

Questions about testing a senior horse

Which blood tests are common for an older horse?

Kidney, liver, muscle and sugar tests with a CBC are common, and T4 when thyroid disease is suspected. Your vet chooses what fits.

Does a low T4 mean an older horse has a thyroid problem?

Not always. Illness, poor feeding and some medicines can lower T4. Your vet reads it with the horse's signs before deciding anything.

How often should an older horse be tested?

Many vets suggest a yearly check, and sooner if the horse is losing weight or seems unwell. Ask your vet what is right for your horse.

Other ages:Foal Adult Horse Puppy Adult Dog Senior Dog Kitten Adult Cat Senior Cat Calf Growing Heifer Adult Cow Buffalo Calf Adult Buffalo

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