Difference between revisions of "Grass Sickness"
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− | === | + | {{unfinished}} |
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+ | {| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1" | ||
+ | | Also known as: | ||
+ | | '''Equine Dysautonomia<br> | ||
+ | |-} | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Description''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Signalment''' | ||
* Most prevalent in the UK and western Europe. | * Most prevalent in the UK and western Europe. | ||
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* Usually affects young adults. | * Usually affects young adults. | ||
** 6-7 years old. | ** 6-7 years old. | ||
− | + | ||
+ | '''Diagnosis''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Clinical signs''' | ||
** Acute oneset: | ** Acute oneset: | ||
*** Muscular tremors | *** Muscular tremors | ||
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** Clinically difficult to diagnose - signs are confined to the gut. | ** Clinically difficult to diagnose - signs are confined to the gut. | ||
*** Easy to diagnose on post mortem | *** Easy to diagnose on post mortem | ||
− | + | ||
+ | '''Pathology''' | ||
** [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]] and [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] large amounts of contain watery yellow fluid. | ** [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]] and [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] large amounts of contain watery yellow fluid. | ||
*** There is an abrupt change in the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]], where no fluid is present. | *** There is an abrupt change in the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]], where no fluid is present. |
Revision as of 12:57, 23 July 2010
This article is still under construction. |
- Most prevalent in the UK and western Europe.
- Common in wetter areas, e.g. the South West.
- Seen in horses out at pasture in late summer and autumn.
- Usually affects young adults.
- 6-7 years old.
- Acute oneset:
- Muscular tremors
- Abdominal pain
- Does not eat
- Constipation
- Become severly tympanic in acute cases
- Dull and restless
- Avoid swallowing
- Salivate excessively
- Degenerative lesions are seen in the autonomic nerve ganglia, including enteric plexuses
- May either:
- Progress rapidly to death
- Take a slower clinical course.
- Eat a bit, but food drops out of mouth
- Go on to die slowly.
- Some horses recover
- This is very unlikely, and the condition is usually fatal.
- Clinically difficult to diagnose - signs are confined to the gut.
- Easy to diagnose on post mortem
- Acute oneset:
- Stomach and small intestine large amounts of contain watery yellow fluid.
- There is an abrupt change in the large intestine, where no fluid is present.
- large intestine has very dry mucoid contents.
- There is an abrupt change in the large intestine, where no fluid is present.
- Stomach and small intestine large amounts of contain watery yellow fluid.
- Pathogenesis
- Due to functional obstruction at ileocaecal valve and a degree of paralytic ileus of the small intestine.
- The exact cause is unknown, but a type of bacterial or fungal toxin which may damage autonomic nervous system ganglia may be involved.
- Clostridium botulinum is thought to be involved.
- A similar condition seen in hares
- Certain yeares almost seem to have outbreaks.
- Certain pastures at certain times of year produce grass sickness quite often.
- A definitive diagnosis must be made - if the condition is due to the grazing we need to know.
- E.g. if on livery or stud grazing, may put people off going there.
- A definitive diagnosis must be made - if the condition is due to the grazing we need to know.
- 'Diagnosis
- At post mortem look for degenerative changes in coeliaco-mesenteric ganglia - need to examine histologically.
- Ganglia are peanut sized and found in perirenal fat between adrenal gland and the aorta.
- At post mortem look for degenerative changes in coeliaco-mesenteric ganglia - need to examine histologically.
Also known as: | Equine Dysautonomia |