What are the symptoms of PSSM?
Clinical signs of PSSM range from mild to severe. They include sweating, lameness, sore muscles, undiagnosed lameness, poor performance, and muscle tremors (“tying up”). These may occur with or without exercise. Under saddle, affected horses may be reluctant to go forward or collect.
What is considered the gold standard for diagnosing PSSM in horses?
The finding of amylase resistant polysaccha- ride within muscle fibres is considered as the gold standard diagnostic criterion of PSSM (Valberg et al., 1997; Firshman et al., 2005). In our study, amylase resistant polysaccharide was found in only three horses from the test group.
What is the difference between PSSM1 and PSSM 2?
For clarity, the form of PSSM caused by a glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) gene mutation is now termed type 1(PSSM1) whereas the form or forms of PSSM that are not caused by the GYS1 mutation and whose origin is yet unknown are now termed type 2 (PSSM2).
Does PSSM cause diarrhea?
Very young foals with PSSM occasionally show signs of severe muscle pain and weakness. This occurs more often if they have a concurrent infection such as pneumonia or diarrhea. Some weanlings and yearlings, particularly those with type 2 PSSM can develop muscle stiffness with daily activities and difficulty rising.
How do I get my horse tested for PSSM?
You can test your horse for PSSM 1 through the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Here they can perform DNA blood or hair tests. Muscle biopsies are required to test for PSSM 2. You should consider a muscle biopsy for horses with muscle pain if they test negative for PSSM 1.
Can horses with PSSM eat grass?
For horses with high calorie requirements that need higher fat, Purina® Ultium® Competition horse feed has been helpful in managing many PSSM horses. These low-starch feeds should be fed with good-quality grass hay or a maximum of 50 percent alfalfa hay.
How much vitamin E does a PSSM horse need?
According to Crandell, vitamin E should be offered at an intake of 1-1.5 IU per ml of supplemental oil in addition to 2-3 IU of vitamin E per kg body weight for horses in light work. An 1,100-lb (500-kg) horse, for example, should receive 1,000-2,000 IU of vitamin E per day.
What Quarter Horse bloodlines carry PSSM?
Our laboratory uses the term PSSM. PSSM is a muscle disease in horses with Quarter Horse bloodlines such as Quarter Horses, American Paint Horses and Appaloosas.
How do I test my horse in PSSM?
What is type1 PSSM?
Type 1 PSSM is the form of PSSM caused by the genetic mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 () gene. Type 2 PSSM represents one or more other forms of a muscle disease that are characterized by abnormal staining for muscle glycogen in microscopic examination of muscle biopsies.
What should I feed my PSSM?
Forage and feed choices for PSSM horses are centered on minimizing sugar and starch intake. Forage requirements. Forage can be supplied as pasture, hay, or hay alternatives such as pellets or cubes. Well-maintained pastures should contain low-sugar grasses and few legumes (clover, alfalfa or lucerne).
What are the symptoms of PSSM in horses?
PSSM in horses or Polysaccharide storage myopathy is a severe and inheritable glycogen storage disease characterized by muscle damage, stiffness, reluctance to move, and severe colic. The primary cause of the disease is overfeeding of readily digestible carbohydrates by the horse and genetic factors.
Where can I test my horse for PSSM?
You can test your horse for PSSM 1 through the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Here they can perform DNA blood or hair tests. Muscle biopsies are required to test for PSSM 2. You should consider a muscle biopsy for horses with muscle pain if they test negative for PSSM 1.
Can a muscle biopsy be used to diagnose PSSM?
Muscle Biopsy: PSSM can be diagnosed based on microscopic evaluation of a muscle biopsy in horses over two years-of-age, however, a definitive diagnosis of the type 1 form of PSSM requires genetic testing. The sample is taken from the semimembranosus muscle, which is part of the rear limb hamstring muscles.
What kind of muscle disease is type 2 PSSM?
Type 2 PSSM represents one or more other forms of a muscle disease that are characterized by abnormal staining for muscle glycogen in microscopic examination of muscle biopsies. 2. What is type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM1)?