Clinical syndrome and diagnosis of hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis in quarter horses.
Abstract: Of the 16 horses studied, 14 belonged to a family previously shown to be susceptible to hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HPP), and 8 were shown to have HPP. Diagnosis of HPP by electromyographic detection of myotonic discharges or by oral administration of KCl to induce clinical signs and hyperkalaemia had similar reliability and gave the same result in 80% of cases. KCl had to be administered at doses up to 0.2 g/kg bodyweight to produce signs in some horses. KCl challenge testing was more time consuming than EMG and resulted in one fatality. Overall, electromyography and potassium challenge testing together gave the most accurate diagnosis. Horses were more likely to manifest signs of HPP if they were immature. There was no sex predisposition. The most frequent sign of HPP was muscle fasciculation. Other signs were sweating, muscle spasm, and weakness. Respiratory rate increased greatly during some attacks. Attacks of muscle fasciculation without hyperkalaemia were observed in 2 HPP-affected horses. Affected horses had a greater frequency of spontaneous clinical abnormalities, due mainly to trailering problems, traumatic abrasions and episodes of continuous muscle fasciculation. Hyperkalaemia was confirmed in only one of these instances.
Publication Date: 1993-05-01 PubMed ID: 8508753DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02949.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses the diagnosis and clinical signs of the hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HPP) condition in quarter horses. Among 16 horses evaluated, 8 were confirmed to have HPP. The most effective diagnosis methods were electromyography and potassium challenge testing.
Subject and Methodology of the Research
- The research focused on 16 quarter horses, 14 from a family known to be vulnerable to hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HPP).
- Researchers diagnosed HPP using two techniques – electromyographic detection of myotonic discharges and potassium challenge testing via oral administration of Potassium Chloride (KCl).
- These methods equally provided reliable results, with both techniques overlapping in their diagnosis in 80% of cases.
Findings of the Study
- Of the 16 horses, 8 were confirmed to have HPP.
- KCL needed to be given at doses of up to 0.2 g/kg of the horse’s body weight to produce signs of HPP.
- The potassium challenge testing proved more time-consuming compared to electromyography and even resulted in one death.
- Despite its risks, the potassium challenge testing when combined with electromyography provided the most accurate diagnosis of HPP.
- Immature horses were more likely to show signs of HPP. No specific gender of the horse was more inclined to the disease.
- In HPP-affected horses, the most common symptom was muscle fasciculation, followed by sweating, muscle spasms, weakness, and occasionally, increased respiratory rate.
Observations and Conclusions
- Two horses diagnosed with HPP exhibited muscle fasciculation even without hyperkalaemia.
- Horses with HPP had more spontaneous clinical abnormalities, mainly due to issues related to trailering, traumatic abrasions, and continuous muscle fasciculations.
- However, hyperkalemia was only confirmed in one of these cases.
- The research gives valuable insights into diagnosing HPP in quarter horses using a combination of electromyography and potassium challenge testing.
Cite This Article
APA
Naylor JM, Jones V, Berry SL.
(1993).
Clinical syndrome and diagnosis of hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis in quarter horses.
Equine Vet J, 25(3), 227-232.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02949.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Disease Susceptibility
- Electromyography / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Hyperkalemia / complications
- Hyperkalemia / diagnosis
- Hyperkalemia / veterinary
- Male
- Paralyses, Familial Periodic / complications
- Paralyses, Familial Periodic / diagnosis
- Paralyses, Familial Periodic / veterinary
- Periodicity
- Potassium / blood
- Potassium Chloride
- Sex Factors
- Syndrome
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Naylor JM. Equine hyperkalemic periodic paralysis: review and implications. Can Vet J 1994 May;35(5):279-85.
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