Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle stiffness and weakness in young horses with myotonic dystrophy
By Hegreberg, G A & Reed, S M·Published in Acta neuropathologica·1990·Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Skeletal muscle changes associated with equine myotonic dystrophy.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In young horses, especially those as young as 1 month old, there is a condition called equine myotonic dystrophy, which leads to muscle stiffness, weakness, and wasting. Some affected horses may also experience other issues like underdeveloped testicles, cataracts, and problems with how their body handles sugar. When examining the muscles of three foals with this condition, veterinarians found several unusual changes, including abnormal muscle fiber structures and differences in fiber sizes. There were also signs that the nerves controlling the muscles were affected. Overall, this condition appears to cause significant muscle and systemic problems in these young horses.
Abstract
A progressive neuromuscular disorder in young horses, clinically apparent as early as 1 month of age, is characterized by generalized myotonia, muscle stiffness, muscle weakness and atrophy. Myotonia is identified by percussion dimpling and myotonic EMG discharges. Changes in one case included testicular hypoplasia, cataract formation, and glucose intolerance, indicating a systemic involvement. Pathologic changes in skeletal muscles from three affected foals were examined. Sarcoplasmic masses, ringed fibers, internal positioning of sarcolemmal nuclei, and nuclear rowing were among the primary histologic changes noted. Variation in fiber diameter size, especially atrophy, and type I predominance were also prominent changes. A neurogenic involvement was indicated by type grouping changes in several muscles.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2239155/