Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Respiratory stridor associated with polymyopathy suspected to be hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in four quarter horse foals.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- Traub-Dargatz, J L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Four Quarter Horse foals, aged between 6 days and 2 months, were found to have a noisy breathing condition called upper airway stridor, which was linked to a muscle disorder suspected to be hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (a condition causing muscle weakness due to high potassium levels). Tests showed that all the foals had unusual muscle activity, and two of them had high potassium levels. In foals 1 and 3, the noisy breathing was caused by the collapse or spasm of the throat area, confirmed through a special camera examination. Foals 1, 2, and 3 were given a medication called acetazolamide, which helped improve the conditions of foals 2 and 3, while foal 4 did not receive treatment as the owner chose not to. Foal 1 needed more serious intervention, including surgery to help with its breathing issues.
Abstract
Four Quarter Horse foals ranging in age from 6 days to 2 months were determined to have upper airway stridor secondary to polymyopathy suspected to be hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. Electromyography revealed spontaneous muscle activity in all muscles examined. Electromyographic findings were similar in the dams of 3 foals (No. 1, 3 and 4). Hyperkalemia was found in foals 1 and 4. Endoscopically, the upper airway stridor in foals 1 and 3 was confirmed to be attributable to laryngeal and pharyngeal collapse or spasm. Foals 1, 2, and 3 were treated with acetazolamide. Foal 4 was not treated, at the owner's request. Foals 2 and 3 improved with treatment, foal 4's condition was static, and foal 1 required a tracheostomy and laryngeal surgery to manage its upper airway stridor.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644652/