Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal with noisy breathing and muscle issues - what to know
By Traub-Dargatz, J L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1992·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Respiratory stridor associated with polymyopathy suspected to be hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in four quarter horse foals.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Four Quarter Horse foals, aged between 6 days and 2 months, were brought in for noisy breathing (stridor) caused by a suspected muscle disorder linked to high potassium levels (hyperkalemic periodic paralysis). Tests showed abnormal muscle activity, and two foals had high potassium levels. The noisy breathing was confirmed to be due to airway spasms in some foals. Foals 2 and 3 improved after being treated with a medication called acetazolamide, while foal 1 needed more serious interventions, including surgery, to help with its breathing. Foal 4 did not receive treatment and remained stable.
People also search for: Quarter Horse foal noisy breathing · hyperkalemic periodic paralysis treatment · foal stridor causes · acetazolamide for foals · foal airway surgery
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 on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644652/