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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / History and clinical features of atypical myopathy in horses...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2008; 21(6); 1380-1391; doi: 10.1892/07-053.1

History and clinical features of atypical myopathy in horses in Belgium (2000-2005).

Abstract: The emergent nature of atypical myopathy or atypical myoglobinuria (AM) necessitates precise description of its clinical and epidemiologic features. Objective: To define key features of AM to help practitioners recognize the disease and to advise owners to take preventive measures. Methods: Belgian cases of AM confirmed by histology (CC horses; n = 57) from autumn 2000 to spring 2005 were included in the study. Co-grazing horses (Co-G horses; n = 77) that remained free of any abnormal clinical signs constituted a control group. Methods: History, environmental characteristics, clinical signs, and laboratory results associated with AM were determined by a retrospective case series study. Results: Young horses in poor or normal body condition were found to be at risk for AM. Pastures were characterized by poor natural drainage and vegetation of low nutritional value. Features of AM were seasonal occurrence, apparent link with weather conditions (ie, lack of solar radiation with no heavy frost and an excess of precipitation or relative humidity), sudden onset of clinical signs, and rapid death. Evaluation of serum creatine kinase activity indicated severe muscle destruction in CC horses and subclinical disease in a few Co-G horses. Conclusions: The association of AM with specific environmental conditions and individual animals suggests that young horses should not be pastured on bare premises subject to humidity when the weather has been very wet and cold for several days. Management of AM outbreaks should include control of Co-G horses who are apparently healthy.
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Publication Date: 2008-01-17 PubMed ID: 18196750DOI: 10.1892/07-053.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research examined the characteristics of a disease called atypical myopathy (AM) affecting horses in Belgium from 2000-2005. The aim was to draw a clear picture of this disease’s nature and its risk factors to help veterinarians recognize it effectively and advise horse owners on prevention strategies.

Methodology

The researchers studied Belgian horses that had confirmed cases of AM — diagnosed using histology — during the autumn of 2000 up to spring 2005, designated as CC horses. There were 57 affected horses.
In addition, 77 co-grazing horses (Co-G horses), who shared the same pastures but did not exhibit any abnormal clinical signs, were included as a control group. The team used historical data, environmental characteristics, clinical signs, and laboratory results related to AM to comprehend the disease.

  • History: The researchers considered the past health records of the horses and their environmental exposure.
  • Environmental Characteristics: Features of the horses’ grazing pastures, like its drainage and the quality of its vegetation, were noted.
  • Clinical Signs: The symptoms exhibited by the horses were studied.
  • Laboratory Results: Blood tests and tissue samples were used to confirm the presence of the disease and assess its severity.

Results

Horses in poor or normal body condition, particularly the younger ones, were found to be at higher risk for AM. Pastures with poor natural drainage and vegetation of low nutritional value might contribute to the risk.
The disease appeared to have a seasonal occurrence and seemed linked to weather conditions, particularly when there was a lack of sunlight, no heavy frost but extended precipitation or relative humidity. AM is marked by a sudden onset of clinical signs and rapid death of the afflicted horses.
The assessment showed that CC horses suffered severe muscle damage, as indicated by the high serum creatine kinase activity. A few Co-G horses also exhibited subclinical signs of the disease, indicating they too were afflicted but not showing symptoms.

Conclusions

The emergence of AM is associated with specific environmental conditions and individual characteristics of the horses. It is suggested that young horses should not graze in bare, humid pastures during extended periods of cold, wet weather. Management strategies should also take into account the potential risk to Co-G horses, who might be silently suffering from the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Votion DM, Linden A, Saegerman C, Engels P, Erpicum M, Thiry E, Delguste C, Rouxhet S, Demoulin V, Navet R, Sluse F, Serteyn D, van Galen G, Amory H. (2008). History and clinical features of atypical myopathy in horses in Belgium (2000-2005). J Vet Intern Med, 21(6), 1380-1391. https://doi.org/10.1892/07-053.1

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
Pages: 1380-1391

Researcher Affiliations

Votion, Dominique-M
  • Equine Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bat. B41, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium. dominique.votion@ulg.ac.be
Linden, Annick
    Saegerman, Claude
      Engels, Patrick
        Erpicum, Michel
          Thiry, Etienne
            Delguste, Catherine
              Rouxhet, Serge
                Demoulin, Vincent
                  Navet, Rachel
                    Sluse, Francis
                      Serteyn, Didier
                        van Galen, Gaby
                          Amory, Hélène

                            MeSH Terms

                            • Animal Feed
                            • Animal Husbandry
                            • Animals
                            • Belgium / epidemiology
                            • Female
                            • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
                            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                            • Horses
                            • Male
                            • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
                            • Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
                            • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
                            • Myoglobinuria / diagnosis
                            • Myoglobinuria / epidemiology
                            • Myoglobinuria / veterinary
                            • Retrospective Studies
                            • Weather

                            Citations

                            This article has been cited 20 times.
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