Equine Atypical Myopathy...

Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted Chestnuts

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Can someone explain this to me please??? reading off the internet is both frustrating and confusing on this subject and there are a few article and info sites that are conradicting each other.

So could someone please help me with definate symptoms, causes and other important info please. I ahve the vet calling me today about blood results but I would like to know a bit more about this and definated facts incase I am talking crap to the vet about this.

Thanks :)
 
Hi.

There is a lot of random stuff written about this disease because it is so poorly understood. Anecdotally the incidence seems to be increasing, and bacterial toxins have been suggested as a probable cause (similarly to grass sickness). Selenium deficiency may also play a role.It most commonly occurs in autumn and winter in horses kept at grass often on poor/hill grazing. The incidence increases after a period of bad weather and outbreaks can occur within groups of horses, with young horses most commonly affected.

Affected horses are usually found recumbent (or dead without obvious cause), but often appear reasonable bright, but weak, stiff and unable to stand. Muscle tremors are often visible and the heart rate is generally elevated. Horses may try to eat, but their ability to swallow can be affected. Often they don't pass urine and the bladder is found to be distended on rectal examination, but if they do (or the bladder is catheterised) the urine is a dark brown colour (in common with other forms of tying up). Blood tests will show sky high CK and AST.

Gererally the course of the disease is rapid, and sadly reported survival rates are low (70% or higher mortality rate). Treatment is targeted at keeping the animal comfortable and reducing inflammation (NSAIDS/steroids) and minimising the damage caused to the kidneys by the products of muscle breakdown (the myoglobin released from damaged muscle cells blocks the 'filters' in the kidneys) using high volume fluid therapy.

Hope that makes some sense. It's a bit of a rambling essay I'm afraid. Do you have an affected horse?
 
Hoptoit that was very enlightening thank you :)

I am not sure TBH about my horse being affected as I have two on the same grazing, same feed etc one is 12 the other 20 and its the younger of the two who has suddenly lost weight, her energy and has a few times refused to get up but the vet has taken bloods etc to tect.

It was a friend who suggested I take a look into this as a possible cause altho after her antics today I dont think she has this altho fingers crossed for the lab blood results to be clear :)
 
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