Vet baffled help needed please

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neddymad

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Hi, I have posted in verterinary but thought it would be ok to post here too as I am hoping that someone will be able to help me as my vet is baffled. My pony has not been right since feb, march time. It started as general stiffness, then she lost weight and her coat was very stary. She also developed polydipsia and polyuria. Her bloods showed increased AST and CK levels and raised fibrinogen levels. We thought it was a form of tying up but symptoms didn't really add up. Long story short, she still has raised levels but no real muscle loss anywhere to suggest a problem. One strange symptom is that every so often her neck swells up as if she has been pumped up with air. As soon as she is moving around it subsides and doesn't seem to bother her. She had a biopsy on a lump in the muscle between her front legs but that has come back that it is down to an injury. Sorry for the length of post and thank you to those of you who have read it all:)
 
neddymad said:
Hi, I have posted in verterinary but thought it would be ok to post here too as I am hoping that someone will be able to help me as my vet is baffled. My pony has not been right since feb, march time. It started as general stiffness, then she lost weight and her coat was very stary. She also developed polydipsia and polyuria. Her bloods showed increased AST and CK levels and raised fibrinogen levels. We thought it was a form of tying up but symptoms didn't really add up. Long story short, she still has raised levels but no real muscle loss anywhere to suggest a problem. One strange symptom is that every so often her neck swells up as if she has been pumped up with air. As soon as she is moving around it subsides and doesn't seem to bother her. She had a biopsy on a lump in the muscle between her front legs but that has come back that it is down to an injury. Sorry for the length of post and thank you to those of you who have read it all:)
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A friend of mine is having slightly similar problems with her horse at the mo. She stiffens after exercise (show similar symptoms as tying up) she's having a muscle biopsy this week sometime. I cant remember what they are called but there are two muscle problems that show "tying up symptoms" something along the lines of EPMS or EPSM (cant remeber which order the letters come) Sorry if i havent been much help.
 
Thank you for your reply, I would be interested to know how your friend gets on pm me if you would rather. The swelling on her neck tonight is really hard when her head is up but softer when she drops her head.
 
It is EPSM _ Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. The symptoms you describe are similar without the lumps - the critical test is a muscle biopsy. You vet must have considered this I am sure but it may be worth asking the question.

My horse has it and it is managed by diet - basically high oil, low carbohydrate. There is loads on the net about it.

Hope you get it resolved very soon!!
 
Thank you very much for your reply:) My vet has talked about muscle biopsy but decided to wait as she doesn't show any muscle wastage. I will talk to him about EPSM though.
 
Just thought I'd add she is a 12hh stocky dartmoor type. I clipped her neck out today and you can really see that it looks odd. I have got vet out tomorrow to do more blood test but I am really worried. Was hoping some one might have some suggestions as to what it might be. It is 7 months since we started investigations but we still have no answers. Any advice gratefully recieved. Thank you
 
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