Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy: prevalence, impact, and management

Abstract

Erin N Burns, Carrie J Finno Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA Abstract: Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder affecting many horse breeds. Clinical signs include a symmetric ataxia and an abnormal stance at rest, similar to cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, and equine herpesvirus 1 myeloencephalopathy. This review will provide an update on the disease prevalence, management, impact, and ongoing research. Keywords: ataxia, α-tocopherol, horse, vitamin E, gestation, foal, pasture

Keywords

• ataxia
• alpha-tocopherol
• horse
• vitamin E