Hyperkalemic Paralysis: The American Quarter Horse

Today there are hundreds of types of therapy programs for those with physical and psychological disorders. Though perhaps one of the most versatile, easily accessible types of therapies can be done through the use of a horse. Hippotherapy, specifically defined, is a “physical therapy in which a patient (as one affected with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis) sits or lies on the back of a horse for the therapeutic effect of the horse's movement” (1). In the 5th century, Hippocrates revealed his belief that horses were healers. He described horseback riding as a universal exercise with a healing rhythm.

Throughout the history of American Quarter horses the main issue of the industry is the extent amount of drug usage on horses. The use of drugs on horses can help for healing and speed up the time of injury recovering, yet most of the time drugs hurt the horses. Today, this abusive action has only increased since the founding of the association. Quarter horses are jeopardized by having drugs injected in them to gain endurance and speed, but people fail to mention the risks that can occur. Injecting horses with dangerous drugs can cause heart attacks that may cause death after their race.

Periodic Paralysis Syndrome is a blanket term for a couple of inherited muscular disorders. The most common types are hypokalemic periodic paralysis and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. Both of these are inherited and generally present from childhood, tho it is possible for symptoms to start showing later in adolescence. In hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, high levels of potassium in the blood interact with genetically caused abnormalities in sodium channels (pores that allow the passage of sodium molecules) in muscle cells, resulting in temporary muscle weakness and, when severe, in temporary paralysis. This disease may be caused by genetic defects in either the calcium channel or the sodium channel. Hypokalemic disease may be caused by genetic defects in either the calcium channel or the sodium channel (Medline Plus).

In this paper, I will be discussing the equine genetic disease Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) or Impressive Syndrome. I will share the origins of HYPP through the genetic influence of an American Quarter Horse Stallion called Impressive. There will be coverage of the signs of HYPP and comparison to similar symptoms found in other ailments. I will explain the causes of HYPP attacks in regards to the abnormalities in afflicted horse’s potassium levels and voltage-gaited sodium channels. In closing, I will provide recommendations in management practices, prevention and possibilities for eliminating for HYPP from the equine industry.

While Impressive himself was HYPP negative, he has been genetically linked to being a HYPP carrier. Owners of horses descending from Impressive began to notice episodes of muscle twitching and paralysis. Early cases were often mistaken for tying up syndrome or colic. Tying up syndrome has similar signs as HYPP but the cause is not due to a genetic mutation, and colic is a broad term for abdominal discomfort. The AQHA and the University of California-Davis Equine Research Laboratory funded an early research project and found that the problem that the halter horse owners were seeing was linked to high levels of potassium in the blood. The University of Saskatchewan released a news report in 1992 stating that all of the HYPP affected horses descended from one sire: Impressive. Thousands of horses came from Impressive bloodlines and thus HYPP is also known as the “Impressive” line. Also in 1992, researchers confirmed through DNA testing that the horses within the Impressive line were carriers of

Since each horse is different they can show different types of symptoms. Some horses get many symptoms and others none. I’ve provided you a list that seems to be one of the most comprehensive I could find. This list is provided from an article by DVM Bentz Commissioner for the Kentucky Racing Commission.

Twenty American Quarter Horse geldings, aged between four and eight years and weighing ideally 1,000 to 1,300 pounds, shall be used. All horses should ideally be non-athletes that were previously kept as pleasure riding horses. The horses will be completely evaluated clinically and ultrasonongraphically by veterinarians blinded to the study before the experiment to ensure that there are no preexisting health conditions to hinder healing, or any history or signs of previous injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon. All horses will be placed in individual stalls and paddocks and adapted to their new daily routines for thirty days before the start of the experiment to allow acclimation. Any horses that obtain injury or disease during the course of the study will be removed from the study group to reduce confounding and returned to their provider.

When Atkin says “the use of drugs”, there are a variety of inhumane stimulates that could be referred to. Medications such as Lasix are highly desirable in the racing as world as they mask the side effects of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. EIPH occurs when blood escapes the system and penetrates into the horse lungs and airway. While tools like Lasix mask circulatory problems, drugs such as Phenylbutazone are even more disturbing. Typically used as an anti-inflammatory for injured horses, Phenylbutazone temporarily takes away the pain of a minor strain or bruise. However, trainers often administer 12 times the recommended dosage of this medication to all of their racing horses; injured or not. If a horse's injury is too severe, they

Horse therapy can strengthen our bodies. When someone looks at a horse they are going to think about the benefits of being on that horse and feeling the freedom of riding it. However, if a person with a disability wants to ride a horse, her struggle is not believing that she ride it, it is the actually task. Equine therapy assists people with all kind of disabilities, or problems. One little girl, named Ivy Kennedy, has cerebral palsy, which has caused Ivy to be in a wheelchair. She has been a part of the horse therapy at Equi-Kids Therapeutic Riding Program, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for many years. Unlike when Ivy’s in her wheelchair looking up at the people who pass her, but she rides high on her horse, Hopper. She feels empowered when she is riding horses. It gives her the mental strength she needs to power through the struggles of her life. Even though Ivy is faced with cerebral palsy she can still be the person she wants to be on her horse.

Saddle thrombus can come on with no warning. It causes them to be in extreme pain and will become paralyzed. Some symptoms of this disease are crying, hiding and panting. Saddle thrombus is a blood clot that is in the middle of main arteries. The pain itself can cause the pet to have heart

However, as previously mentioned, most cases do not have an identifiable cause, and anti-convulsant therapy may be instituted. This may not happen straight away and will be started at the discretion of your vet.

This rare immune-mediated disease has to do with nerve and muscle transmission signals. Canines that have an excessive enzyme of Acetylcholinesterase in their body system, the communication between muscles and nerves breakdown. The ending of nerves release acetylcholine, which is known to relay impulses, in cases where receptors are limited, the impulse doesn’t make contact with its receptor, so generally, muscle weakness results. Environment, hormones, breed of canine, congenital and inherited conditions all have roles in this disease. Acquired is auto-antibodies that eradicate the receptors for acetylcholine. There is also diagnosis where a tumor in the thymus gland is present causing hypothyroidism as a secondary disease. Congenital is

During the summer time the temperature increases drastically which can cause dehydration in our horses. Due to their larger muscle mass horses produce a larger amount of heat especially when being exercised or kept in a dry lot or barn where there is no shade or air circulating. Whenever there is high humidity and heat in the air it makes the horses sweat more than they should which means they lose both water and electrolytes. Without water and

To keep these tenuous horses going, they’re all given Lasix, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Their newfound fragility leads to more and more injuries on and off the track, these injuries including strained ligaments, fractures, even broken legs, all increasing in price of veterinary bills until owners and trainers are unwilling to pay for the fix and put the animals down. When faced with injury, many trainers pump horses full of painkillers and various other steroids to keep them on the track during the recovery period. After fully recovering they suffer from extreme drug

This malady usually develops as a sequale to bacterial infections of upper respiratory tract. Intermittent purulent nasal discharge, painful swelling in parotid area, stiff head carriage and stertorous breathing are the common signs. Antibiotics treatment alongwith the guttral pouch lavage with the help of endoscope is necessary for the treatment. Antibiotics can be administred directly in the guttural pouch after lavage with normal saline. Guttral pouch mycosis may also occur in some horses. Most common clinical sign is the epistaxis due to fungal erosion of arterial walls. Repeated bouts of hemorahagic episodes may precede fatal haemorhagic episode. Dysphagia may occur due to damage to cranial and sympathetic nerves. Horses can be treated by topical and systemic antifungal therapy. Guttral pouch tympany usually occurs in fillies upto one year of age. Characteristic sign is non painful swelling in the parotid swelling. This condition can be resolved by NSAIDS and antimicrobial treatment. Some cases require surgical