Equine Atypical Myopathy (EAM) is a life threatening equine disease that interferes with the uptake and use of glucose in the muscles. Under 5's and old horses (20 and over) are often, but not always, more susceptible.
Little is known about the cause of Equine Atypical Myopathy (EAM), it effects horses at pasture so may be due to ingestion of a pasture derived toxin. It is extremely serious with a mortality rate of some 89% early veterinary care is essential for a horse to have a chance of survival.
Symptoms include:
Dark coloured urine.
Muscle stiffness unrelated to exercise.
Muscle tremors.
Lethargy.
Complete collapse, horses have been found dead in their field.
Some cases show colic like symptoms.
Choke like retching neck spasms.
Frienzied vocalisation.
Vigorous head shaking / nodding.
Difficult or laboured respiration however in some cases temperature, heart rate and breathing remain normal in others the horse suffers from hypothermia. Also many horses suffering from EAM will be hungry and want to eat, even when lying down.
What to do if you suspect Equine Atypical Myopathy (EMA)
Call the vet immediately this is an emergency.
If your horse can still move try to get it to shelter / stable where it can receive care. Do not attempt to move the horse far as movement aggravates muscle destruction.
Keep the horse warm.
Offer small amounts of food but be sure that the horse can swallow.
Offer sugar and sugar water. again be sure the horse can swallow.
Try to collect a urine sample it will help in making a quick diagnosis.
All healthy horses should also be removed from the grazing and monitored for at least 72 hours for signs of Equine Atypical Myopathy.
Grazing where Equine Atypical Myopathy has occured should not be used during the Spring or Autumn.
Treatment:
Intensive intravenous fluid therapy will be required for your horse to stand a chance of survival. Anti-inflammatories, insulin, glucose, vitamin c and carnitine may all be administered by IV.
Prevention:
Equines should not be grazed on pasture during Spring or Autumn where Equine Atypical Myopahy has previously occured.
Equine Atypical Myopathy is more prevalent during Spring and Autumn, consider stabling equines at risk during these periods.
Horses vaccination and de-worming should be kept up to date.
Give supplementary feeding to ensure good body condition.
Water should be kept fresh and changed regularly.
Remove toxic plants, moulds and dead leaves from pasture.
Keep manure removed from pasture.
Ensure hay is mould free and do not ground feed in a humid environment.
For more information on Equine Atypical Myopathy visit the Equine Atypical Myopathy website a site dedicated to owners of horses and equine veterinarians facing a suspected case of atypical myopathy of grazing horses. The mission of the site is to distribute the knowledge relative to the condition, to collect information about cases around the world, to sort out preventive measures and to connect researchers trying to identify the cause of atypical myopathy. Furthermore, alert messages are displayed on the front page of the site as soon as outbreaks are recorded by the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group (AMAG). The AMAG consists of veterinarians and researchers involved with clinical cases of atypical myopathy.
