Equine motor neuron disease in 2 horses from Saskatchewan.
Abstract: Two horses from Saskatchewan were presented with signs of sweating, muscle fasciculations, weight loss, and generalized weakness. The horses were diagnosed with equine motor neuron disease (EMND), by histological assessment of a spinal accessory nerve or sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis muscle biopsy. This is the first report of EMND in western Canada. Maladie équine des motoneurones chez 2 chevaux de la Saskatchewan. Deux chevaux de la Saskatchewan ont été présentés avec des signes de sudation, de fibrillations musculaires, de perte de poids et de faiblesse généralisée. On a diagnostiqué la maladie équine des motoneurones (MEMN) chez les chevaux en effectuant une évaluation histologique d’un nerf accessoire de la colonne vertébrale ou une biopsie du muscle sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis. Il s’agit du premier rapport de MEMN dans l’Ouest canadien.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
Publication Date: 2016-07-20 PubMed ID: 27429468PubMed Central: PMC4904817
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Summary
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This research article presents two cases of horses in Saskatchewan diagnosed with equine motor neuron disease (EMND) which is marked as the first recorded incidence of EMND in western Canada.
Introduction
- The research begins with the presentation of two horses from Saskatchewan showing specific symptoms namely sweating, muscle fasciculations, weight loss, and generalized weakness.
- Such symptoms led the researchers to suspect a neurological disorder. Specifically, the researchers suspected equine motor neuron disease (EMND) which affects the nervous system of horses, leading to diminished control over their muscles.
Diagnostics and Findings
- To confirm this suspicion, the researchers carried out histological assessments – a scientific method used to study the microscopic structure of tissues to identify abnormalities or diseases. The tissues analysed were obtained either through the biopsy of a spinal accessory nerve or a sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis muscle, both are potential sites for finding indications of EMND.
- The histological evaluations indeed led to the diagnosis of EMND in both horses; thus, validating the researchers’ initial suspicion based on the observed symptoms.
Significance
- This study has significant implications as it marks the first report of EMND in western Canada. This suggests that EMND may be a more widespread concern for horse health in the region than previously recognized.
- In turn, this discovery calls for more vigilance and potentially new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in managing the health of horses in the identified region.
Cite This Article
APA
Husulak ML, Lohmann KL, Gabadage K, Wojnarowicz C, Marqués FJ.
(2016).
Equine motor neuron disease in 2 horses from Saskatchewan.
Can Vet J, 57(7), 771-776.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (Husulak, Lohmann, Gabadage, Marqués), Prairie Diagnostic Services (Wojnarowicz), 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (Husulak, Lohmann, Gabadage, Marqués), Prairie Diagnostic Services (Wojnarowicz), 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (Husulak, Lohmann, Gabadage, Marqués), Prairie Diagnostic Services (Wojnarowicz), 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (Husulak, Lohmann, Gabadage, Marqués), Prairie Diagnostic Services (Wojnarowicz), 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (Husulak, Lohmann, Gabadage, Marqués), Prairie Diagnostic Services (Wojnarowicz), 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Canada
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Male
- Motor Neuron Disease / veterinary
- Saskatchewan
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