Equine Neuromuscular Diseases

Question 1

Chronic Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Answer 1

• Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
• PSSM
• HYPP

Question 2

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Answer 2

Necrosis of striated skeletal muscles
* often caused from exercise
* also called “tying up”
* seen with thoroughbreds, Arabians, and standardbreds
* stiffness, sweating, myoglobinuria

Question 3

PSSM

Answer 3

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy
* caused by abnormal accumulation of sugar in the muscles
* see in draft and quarter horses
* sweating, stiffness, loss of muscle mass
* type 1 vs type 2
* diagnose with muscle biopsy

Question 4

HYPP

Answer 4

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis
* high blood potassium levels
* see with quarter horses, appaloosa, and paints
* can be inherited
* see muscle weakness - sitting like a dog

Question 5

NMD

Answer 5

Nutritional Myodegeneration
* also called white muscle disease
* affects skeletal and cardiac muscles
* due to deficiency in Vitamin E and Selenium

Question 6

Leukoencephalomalacia

Answer 6

Liquidized necrosis of cerebral cortex
* from moldy corn toxicity
* causes depression, aimless wandering, head pressing
* treat with supportive care
* poor prognosis - die within 24 hours of signs

Question 7

Wobbler Syndrome

Answer 7

Spinal cord compression in neck
* thoroughbreds predisposed
* see often in young, male horses
* incoordination of limbs (hind more common)

Question 8

Cervical Vertebral Fractures
Results In

Answer 8

Tetraparesis
* weakness in all 4 limbs
* can repair with surgery

Question 9

Sweeney

Answer 9

Suprascapular Paralysis
* shoulder muscle atrophy
* caused by nerve trauma
* poor prognosis if no improvement within 2 weeks