Atypical myopathy
Atypical myopathy is a mysterious illness, usually found in grazing horses — mostly in the autumn and spring — which has been linked to the seeds and seedlings of the sycamore tree.
It has a fatality rate of 70% and once a horse is exhibiting signs the condition is typically already serious. Some horses have made a successful recovery after being treated with intravenous fluids and intensive care.
Signs of atypical myopathy include muscular weakness and stiffness, dark urine, fatigue, colic-like signs, shivering, sweating and trembling. The onset of the illness can be extremely rapid, with some horses being found dead in their fields.
It is recommended that horses are not grazed in fields that contain sycamore trees, or on pasture that borders them in order to reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with the seeds.
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Sycamore seedlings — what’s the risk to my horse and how do I get rid of them?
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‘The best and worst years of my life’: owner of mare lost to motor neurone disease speaks up to help others
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‘Grave danger’ of fatal equine illness from ‘explosion’ of toxic seeds
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‘She was in unimaginable pain’: rider who lost dream horse to illness hopes to help others
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‘They thought he wouldn’t make it’: owner of myopathy survivor speaks out on vital early treatment
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Horse owners warned as vets report rise in atypical myopathy and acorn poisoning
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‘He saved me, now I want to save others’: heartbroken owner speaks out on fatal atypical myopathy
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Owners urged to act to reduce risk of potentially fatal atypical myopathy
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5 common plants that could kill your horse
While many plants can be poisonous if eaten to excess, there are some poisonous plants that horses should avoid at all costs
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Heartbroken owner’s myopathy warning after two yearlings die within hours
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‘You don’t think it will be your horse’: owner’s atypical myopathy warning
‘He was very underneath himself at his back end and looked uncomfortable. At first I thought it was colic and phoned the vet. I took his rug off and he had muscle tremors, his breathing and heart were racing’
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Owners urged to act now after ‘perfect storm’ increases atypical myopathy risk
The disease can occur up to four days after exposure and owners should contact their vet immediately if they spot any signs
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Atypical myopathy: study finds charcoal could help sick horses
Researchers found activated charcoal could help some horses in certain atypical myopathy cases
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Owners warned of atypical myopathy danger after storms
A surge of cases of the fatal equine disease came last time major storms hit the UK
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‘Don’t let it be your horse’: atypical myopathy warning after racehorse dies
Owners are being urged to check their fields for sycamore seedlings now as the often-fatal condition can affect horses in spring as well as autumn
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Filly makes 'miraculous' recovery from atypical myopathy
'We were all crying our eyes out. If it had been an hour later she wouldn’t have been with us.'
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How to protect horses from atypical myopathy
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H&H question of the week: 'Seasonal pasture myopathy — what are the signs and prognosis?'
Nikki Pursey MA VetMB CertAVP(ESM) MRCVS of Farr & Pusey Equine Vets shares her expert advice on the deadly seasonal pasture myopathy
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Atypical myopathy: 'Be vigilant this spring' to protect your horse
Owners have been urged to take steps to combat this often fatal disease
