Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Laryngospasm, dysphagia, and emaciation associated with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1996
- Authors:
- Guglick, M A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medicine and Surgery · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 18-month-old Quarter Horse gelding was taken to the vet because he had been losing weight and having trouble swallowing for about a month. He was very tired, dehydrated, and drooling, and he showed signs of pneumonia after breathing in food or liquid. After some light exercise, he had severe trouble breathing and his skin turned blue. A closer examination revealed that he was experiencing spasms in his throat, which led the vets to suspect a condition called hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HPP), so they started him on a medication called acetazolamide. He showed significant improvement within 48 hours, and it was confirmed that he had a genetic form of HPP. The treatment worked well for him.
Abstract
An 18-month-old Quarter Horse gelding was examined because of weight loss and dysphagia of 1 month's duration. Clinical signs included lethargy, dehydration, ptyalism, and probable aspiration pneumonia. Severe dyspnea and cyanosis were evident after mild exercise. Endoscopy revealed laryngospasm and pharyngospasm. Because clinical signs and endoscopic findings were suggestive of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HPP), acetazolamide treatment was instituted. Marked improvement was observed within 48 hours. The horse was determined to be homozygous for HPP. It is likely that this horse's dysphagia, with resultant weight loss and aspiration pneumonia, were clinical manifestations and consequences of HPP. Regardless of age and serum potassium concentration, HPP should be considered as a differential diagnosis for pharyngeal and laryngeal abnormalities and dysphagia in horses with Quarter Horse breeding.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8926191/