Sporadic and Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis.
Abstract: Horses are particularly susceptible to developing exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) characterized by muscle stiffness, pain, and reluctance to move. Diagnosis requires establishing abnormal increases in serum creatine kinase activity when horses exhibit clinical signs. The 2 main categories of ER include sporadic ER arising from extrinsic causes and chronic ER that arises from intrinsic continuous or episodic abnormalities in muscle function. This article focuses on treatment of acute ER and causes and management of sporadic ER. Differential diagnoses for chronic ER as well as the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of recurrent ER, and malignant hyperthermia are also discussed in this article.
Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-01-28 PubMed ID: 39880734DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research involves an investigation into exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) in horses, its main types including sporadic and recurrent, how it is diagnosed, and how its acute and sporadic forms are managed. Further discussions also cover differential diagnoses for chronic ER, the workings, diagnosis, and management of recurrent ER, along with malignant hyperthermia.
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) in Horses
- ER is a condition horses are known to be highly susceptible to, and it is marked by stiffness in muscles, pain, and reduced willingness of the animal to move.
- Abnormal surges in serum creatine kinase activity when horses display clinical symptoms is a fundamental aspect of diagnosing ER.
Types of ER
- ER primarily branches out into two types: sporadic ER that crops up from extrinsic causes, and chronic ER that is triggered by ongoing or recurrent inherent issues in muscle functionality.
Treatment of ER
- This study primarily centers around the treatment protocols adopted for acute ER and the causative factors as well as management techniques for sporadic ER.
Differential Diagnoses for Chronic ER
- There are several alternative diagnoses to consider when investigating chronic cases of ER, which the research examines.
Recurrent ER
- The research minutely dissects the pathophysiology behind recurrent ER, exploring how it is diagnosed and managed, to enhance understanding of this form of the condition.
Malignant Hyperthermia
- The article extends its discussions to a critical analysis of malignant hyperthermia, a severe life-threatening condition that occasionally can be associated with rhabdomyolysis.
Cite This Article
APA
Valberg SJ.
(2025).
Sporadic and Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 41(1), 111-124.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Michigan State University, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA. Electronic address: sjvalberg@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Rhabdomyolysis / veterinary
- Rhabdomyolysis / diagnosis
- Rhabdomyolysis / therapy
- Rhabdomyolysis / etiology
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Recurrence
- Physical Exertion
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
Conflict of Interest Statement
Disclosure S.J. Valberg directs the Valberg Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory (ValbergNMDL.com) and receives remuneration for analyzing muscle biopsies. Her Web site is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, United States, and she receives royalties from the PSSM1 genetic test and the feed products Re-leve and MFM pellet developed in association with Kentucky Equine Research.
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