Summary An attempt has been made to assess the diagnostic value of clinical features seen at initial examination of horses with grass sickness, colic cases and cases submitted as possible grass sickness but diagnosed subsequently as some other condition. There appears to be no single pathognomonic sign for grass sickness. A range of signs has been associated with grass sickness but these are of value only when related to the length of illness and the history. Biochemical tests related to intestinal tissue damage, stress and dehydration were evaluated and most were found to be of value in diagnosing acute grass sickness. No evidence was found relating selected mineral or vitamin deficiencies to grass sickness, nor were protein changes specific. A marked fall in glutathione peroxidase values was associated with grazing rather than disease.

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Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex neurodevelopmental genetic condition that results in a range of phenotypic features including hypotonia, hyperphagia and behavioural difficulties. PWS is caused by the paternal loss of imprinting genes from the chromosome 15q11.2-13. If left unmanaged, the central obesity caused by hyperphagia and the behavioural features such as foraging and stealing of foods will dominate the life of the person with PWS and his/her family, resulting in practical and psychological difficulties. In this article, Delia Pogson outlines the pathogenesis of this rare disorder and discusses the multidisciplinary approach required to manage and treat this condition.