Atypical Myopath Cases in the UK

foraday

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 May 2006
Messages
1,879
Visit site
Warning to UK horse owners after several atypical myopathy cases
reported
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
World Horse Welfare has been made aware of several cases of equine
atypical myopathy (EAM) in the UK, and is urging horse owners to
monitor their own horses.

Liphook Equine Hospital in Hampshire [England] have issued an alert
that they have diagnosed 5 cases in the past few days. 2 of the 5
diagnosed horses have died. Liphook are also aware of a further 4
cases attended by veterinarians which have died in the
Hampshire/Sussex/Surrey area.

EAM is a disease of unknown cause which results in significant muscle
damage. The condition, which seems to be becoming more common, affects
horses at pasture, often in the spring and/or autumn, and has a high
death rate. Similarities of the disease have been made with equine
grass sickness as it is a pasture related disease that appears to be
associated with an adverse change in weather conditions (such as,
sudden frost, heavy rain).

Signs to look out for include:
- - Weakness and stiffness in horses at pasture - not related to
excessive/unusual exercise
- - Dark coloured urine
- - Collapse
- - Muscle tremors.

Notably, for a day or 2 prior to referral to Liphook, the 5 horses
also displayed clinical signs less well-recognised in atypical
myopathy cases. These signs included:
- - Vigorous head shaking and nodding
- - Frenzied vocalisation
- - Recurrent choke-like retching neck spasms without a persistent
oesophageal obstruction
- - Stiffness and lethargy when ridden

Intensive treatment of any case is required as soon as possible to
maximise its chances of survival. If you suspect your horse has
atypical myopathy contact your vet immediately and remove the horse
from the pasture.

Any other animals that are grazing with the horse you are concerned
about should also be removed from the affected pastures immediately,
as it is possible that there is a toxin in the grass, released only
during changing weather conditions, which causes the disease. Further
information on the disease can be obtained from
<http://www.myopathieatypique.fr/en>.



[Earlier this year (2011), researchers in Switzerland suggested that
_Clostridium sordellii_ toxins could be suspected as the possible
cause of equine atypical myopathy (EAM). Final evidence is still in
wait.
 

Doris68

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 December 2008
Messages
1,762
Visit site
I have heard recently of a case in East Anglia where the horse died from AM; the horse had a heart attack as a consequence of AM. I don't know the details as it was a friend of a friend, but very sudden and, obviously, dreadful.
 

Three

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 April 2007
Messages
3,427
Location
The royal county
Visit site
My beautiful mare was killed by this disease yesterday.

She was up and grazing at 7am and by 8pm I was signing consent to euthanase forms at the vets.
Her 4yo daughter who has grazed the same fields since the day she was born has had blood tests and (as yet) thankfully shows no signs but has been moved to a different field until after the winter.

I'm in Berkshire.
 

MerrySherryRider

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 September 2004
Messages
9,439
Visit site
My beautiful mare was killed by this disease yesterday.

She was up and grazing at 7am and by 8pm I was signing consent to euthanase forms at the vets.
Her 4yo daughter who has grazed the same fields since the day she was born has had blood tests and (as yet) thankfully shows no signs but has been moved to a different field until after the winter.

I'm in Berkshire.

I am so, so sorry. How utterly heartbreaking. I have to admit, this is one disease that scares me. Let's hope that research finds the cause soon.

In the meantime, well done Foraday, for highlighting this illness. Recognising the signs and getting rapid treatment is so important.
 

Three

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 April 2007
Messages
3,427
Location
The royal county
Visit site
Thank you Horserider and Applecart.

Contrary to the article in Horsetalk my mare was 19, in excellent condition, hacking four or five times a week (so not competition fit but fairly so), worm free (had our last tests done on the yard six weeks ago) and fully vaccinated.

She had shown none of the early symptoms sometimes seen.

It's called 'atypical' because there is no pattern to it.
 

Sugarplum Furry

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 June 2006
Messages
3,327
Visit site
My good friend lost her little 2 year old arab gelding to atypical myopathy this week. It was very sudden, he was fine when she fed him in the field in the morning, found him dead in the afternoon. So sad, and such a shock.
 
Top