flintfootfilly
Well-Known Member
Hi
I am having investigations done on my 7 year old Dales pony, homebred. Sold as a yearling and bought back as a just started 4 year old.
Since then, he's never really been in full work because he seemed to have different lamenesses (sometimes felt like one or other front leg, definitely a stilted hind limb action with little hock flexion, and grinds to a halt from trot very regularly). Has done only walk/trot work ridden or being ponied out. I have a lot more detail, but that's a very brief summary.
He had acute colitis in December and nearly died, but seems to have made a full recovery from that. I was hoping his reluctance to work may have been due to some kind of problem associated with the colitis, but we can't find anything wrong gutwise now.
However, I now have 3 sets of blood results. One from when the acute colitis struck. The second one, two weeks later. And a third one, nearly 2 months from the colitis.
Red and white bloods are both low.
However the main thing I'm not sure about is the muscle enzymes:
AST Reference range 100-370
CK Reference range 20 -225
LDH Reference range 130-1085
Blood results (all done as resting levels):
12 Dec 2011 AST 504; CK 2517; LDH 1089 (when acute colitis struck)
28 Dec 2011 AST 472; CK2814; LDH 1341 (appeared recovered)
1 Feb 2012 AST 532; CK 2,600; LDH 1330 (appeared recovered)
Oh, he tested negative for EPSM type 1 on a hair sample.
I've not had a biopsy but must admit I'm wondering whether the CK results might point to the biopsy being the next stage? To be honest, I think I WILL ask for a biopsy because those levels of CK can't be normal, can they?
Though I don't know what levels could be considered a bit high, but unremarkable? What kind of level would an EPSM horse in a good spell show?
Flexion tests have been negative and although I can feel him being lamer on one trot diagonal, this is difficult for an observer to see.
Would be grateful for thoughts on how best to proceed.
Also, is Caroline Hahn the best person in the UK to interpret a biopsy if I do go that way? Cathy McGowan (Liverpool) seems to have cowritten an EPSM paper, though I always think of her for laminitis stuff - anyone any experience of using Liverpool for EPSM/muscle investigations? Any other vets in the UK who are well informed on this type of stuff and used to interpreting muscle biopsies?
Any guidelines on biopsying that I can pass to my vet to make sure the sample can be prepared and interpreted as effectively as possible?
Have been reading up on Stephanie Valberg's Minnesota website and Beth Valentine's Rural Heritage stuff. Also am on yahoo EPSM group and have Dr Kellon's neuromuscular course notes. Anywhere else that's useful?
All that kind of thing, please!
Thanks very much.
Sarah
I am having investigations done on my 7 year old Dales pony, homebred. Sold as a yearling and bought back as a just started 4 year old.
Since then, he's never really been in full work because he seemed to have different lamenesses (sometimes felt like one or other front leg, definitely a stilted hind limb action with little hock flexion, and grinds to a halt from trot very regularly). Has done only walk/trot work ridden or being ponied out. I have a lot more detail, but that's a very brief summary.
He had acute colitis in December and nearly died, but seems to have made a full recovery from that. I was hoping his reluctance to work may have been due to some kind of problem associated with the colitis, but we can't find anything wrong gutwise now.
However, I now have 3 sets of blood results. One from when the acute colitis struck. The second one, two weeks later. And a third one, nearly 2 months from the colitis.
Red and white bloods are both low.
However the main thing I'm not sure about is the muscle enzymes:
AST Reference range 100-370
CK Reference range 20 -225
LDH Reference range 130-1085
Blood results (all done as resting levels):
12 Dec 2011 AST 504; CK 2517; LDH 1089 (when acute colitis struck)
28 Dec 2011 AST 472; CK2814; LDH 1341 (appeared recovered)
1 Feb 2012 AST 532; CK 2,600; LDH 1330 (appeared recovered)
Oh, he tested negative for EPSM type 1 on a hair sample.
I've not had a biopsy but must admit I'm wondering whether the CK results might point to the biopsy being the next stage? To be honest, I think I WILL ask for a biopsy because those levels of CK can't be normal, can they?
Though I don't know what levels could be considered a bit high, but unremarkable? What kind of level would an EPSM horse in a good spell show?
Flexion tests have been negative and although I can feel him being lamer on one trot diagonal, this is difficult for an observer to see.
Would be grateful for thoughts on how best to proceed.
Also, is Caroline Hahn the best person in the UK to interpret a biopsy if I do go that way? Cathy McGowan (Liverpool) seems to have cowritten an EPSM paper, though I always think of her for laminitis stuff - anyone any experience of using Liverpool for EPSM/muscle investigations? Any other vets in the UK who are well informed on this type of stuff and used to interpreting muscle biopsies?
Any guidelines on biopsying that I can pass to my vet to make sure the sample can be prepared and interpreted as effectively as possible?
Have been reading up on Stephanie Valberg's Minnesota website and Beth Valentine's Rural Heritage stuff. Also am on yahoo EPSM group and have Dr Kellon's neuromuscular course notes. Anywhere else that's useful?
All that kind of thing, please!
Thanks very much.
Sarah