Dietary Changes Help Prevent and Manage Tying Up Disease in Horses
- Author Heidi Jeter
- Published February 16, 2010
- Word count 407
Winston Churchill said, "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle." It's unlikely, though, that Churchill ever experienced a horse with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), one of the causes of tying-up disease. PSSM is an incredibly painful, inherited muscle condition most commonly found in quarter horses, draft horses, warmbloods and some other breeds.
With help from Morris Animal Foundation, Dr. Stephanie J. Valberg of the University of Minnesota has been studying the disorder for more than 20 years, and she's learned a lot about managing it.
"We discovered that horses with PSSM are very sensitive to diets that increase their blood sugar and insulin concentrations," Dr. Valberg says. "They develop notable muscle pain and cramping while on high-grain diets and have deficient energy when they exercise."
In horses with PSSM, glucose builds up in the muscles, making it unavailable when it's needed for energy. The disorder comes in two forms: type 1 is caused by a genetic mutation, which can be diagnosed through a DNA test of hair roots or blood. Type 2 is diagnosed by muscle biopsy, but a genetic basis has not yet been determined. Dr. Valberg's research has focused on diagnosing the disorder and managing it through specific diet and training regimens. Horses with PSSM respond favorably to a lower-starch diet supplemented with fat. However, Dr. Valberg notes, the added fat must be in balance with the horse's activity level and should never be excessive.
"Scientific evidence proves that it is not necessary to feed a horse 1 pound of fat a day as you may see recommended on the Internet," she says.
Consistent exercise is also a crucial component in treating horses with PSSM. Horses should be turned out daily, and the amount of time they spend in a stall should be reduced as much as possible. Gentle exercise should begin after the horse has been on the new diet for two weeks. If you suspect your horse has PSSM, contact your equine veterinarian and discuss appropriate diagnostic tests, because tying up can occur for reasons other than PSSM. If PSSM is confirmed, implement a diet that reduces starches and sugars and begin a gentle exercise program.
Although PSSM doesn't go away—and there are no FDA- approved drugs to treat the disorder—it can become more sporadic than chronic. With the right maintenance program and a dose of patience, both you and your horse will have more happy trails in your future.
Morris Animal Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1948, is dedicated to funding animal health research that protects, treats and cures companion animals, horses and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals on all seven continents. For more information, call 800.243.2345 or visit MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- How Much Per Meal Should I Feed My Puppy?
- Selecting the Perfect Pet for Your Lifestyle Made Easy: Experts 7 Tips
- Horse Box Hacks: How Equine Awnings Elevate Your Travel Experience
- Why Regular Pet Grooming Is Important For A Happy And Healthy Pet
- Unleash Your Dog’s Potential: Effective Techniques for Improving Communication and Obedience
- The Illusion of CSR Training Is Finally Reality - BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL CAREER PATH FOR CSRs
- The Diet of a Dog Affects Dental Health
- Do Pets at Home Remove Ticks? What You Should Know About Pet Tick Removal
- The Importance of Cat Furniture Accessories for Your Feline Friend
- Top 6 Pet Products You Need for Your Sweet, Furry Friend
- A QUICK GUIDE ON HOW TO USE PET GROOMING GLOVES PROPERLY!
- Dogs and Cats Compared
- Blog posts 5 Useful Tips on How to Clean Fish Poop in Tank
- The Importance Of Spending The Extra Cash On A Larger Rabbit Hutch
- Street Dogs in Nepal | Animal Welfare Nepal | Oxsa Nepal
- The Importance of Pet Care
- Tips on keeping your bird happy and healthy
- Why pet insurance – and why now?
- 600 million dogs
- What You Need to Know About Canine Deafness
- Pet Relocation - Tips For International Pet Moving
- Dengue Mosquitoes Best Ways To Avoid Dengue
- 5 Unique but Helpful Services for Your Pets
- To Meet Hero Dog Crate Mat
- Are you looking for a valid ESA letter? A complete guide to get an ESA.
- Facts about Best Self Cleaning Litter Box Uncovered
- Are Bird Toys Useful for Your Pet?
- Pets-ability is the Best Online Pet Supplies & Pet Medicine Store
- Cat Litter Choices
- Animals Turn to Nature for Self-Medication