Topic:Myocardial Degeneration
Myocardial degeneration in horses refers to the deterioration of the heart muscle tissue, which can affect the heart's ability to function efficiently. This condition may arise from various causes, including nutritional deficiencies, toxic exposures, or underlying systemic diseases. Myocardial degeneration is characterized by changes in the structure and function of the cardiac muscle cells, which can lead to impaired cardiac performance and, potentially, heart failure. Clinical signs in horses may include exercise intolerance, arrhythmias, or other signs of cardiovascular distress. This topic includes peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and potential management strategies for myocardial degeneration in horses.
Experimental rayless goldenrod (Isocoma pluriflora) toxicosis in horses. Rayless goldenrod (Isocoma pluriflora) sporadically poisons horses and other livestock in the southwestern United States. Similar to livestock poisoning by white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) in the midwestern United States, previous research suggests that benzofuran ketones (BFK: tremetone, dehydrotremetone, 6-hydroxytremetone, and 3-oxyangeloyl-tremetone) are responsible for the toxicity of rayless goldenrod. However, experimental reproduction of rayless goldenrod-induced disease and detailed descriptions of poisoning in horses with known concentrations of tremetone and other BFK has not b...
Aflatoxicosis in horses. Two episodes of acute aflatoxin poisoning in horses suggest that horses are susceptible to the toxic effects of this mycotoxin. Lesions associated with exposure to aflatoxin included encephalomalacia of cerebral hemispheres, fatty degeneration, necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, fibrosis of the liver, fatty infiltration of the kidney, hemorrhagic enteritis, and myocardial degeneration. Hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and depletion of lymphocytes accompanied these lesions. The diagnosis was based on gross and histopathologic observations, consistent with observations of other species poisoned with ...