2024-03-21 23:04:05
Things worth knowing about Shivering Syndrome
Shivering has been known for more than 100 years neuromuscular disease, the cause of which has not yet been clearly clarified. Around five to eight such horses come to the Bilsen horse clinic every year, “but they are usually brought in because of completely different illnesses,” reports Dr. Dirk Fister, head of the veterinary clinic for horses in Bilsen near Hamburg.
What causes Shivering Syndrome?
It is assumed that Infections disrupt the conduction from the nerve to the muscles. Possible pathogens could Herpes or influenza viruses be. Also neurological defects in the central nervous system could trigger tremors. “A possible cause is also diseases of the facet joints of the thoracic spine, lumbar spine or the sacroiliac joint,” says Dr. Dirk Fister.
Facet joints are the small vertebral arch joints between the vertebral processes that connect the individual vertebral bodies to each other in addition to the intervertebral discs and spinal ligaments. However, it has not yet been proven that the disease is genetic and is inherited, as is often speculated. A genetic test for that Shivering Syndrome doesn’t exist.
A connection with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) has also not been proven. Veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Valberg from the American University of Minnesota, in collaboration with the Canadian Veterinary College in Ontario Shivering Syndrome researched, found no evidence of this in a study with 103 Belgian cold-blooded animals: 36 percent of the cold-blooded animals suffered from PSSM, 18 percent from shivering syndrome; 6 percent of the animals were affected by both diseases.
Symptoms of shivering
Affected Horses suffer in Muscle cramps of the hind legs and have in particular Difficulty giving hooves and Walking backwards. This results in problems with daily handling, hoof care and general care. The animals remain convulsively with their legs half-bent or pulled under their stomachs when the hind hoof is raised for scratching or shoeing. At the same time they often raise their tails. Through the cramps Such horses often give their legs reluctantly, which requires a lot of patience from the horse owner.
In very rare cases they are also Front legs affected, which are stretched forward when lifted, while the Muscles over the elbow tremble. In contrast to the houndstooth, the Horses their hooves don’t come off suddenly, but slowly when the Attack is over (which can take a few seconds to a few minutes). In the advanced stage, some animals are no longer able to hold their legs up for long periods of time. Then shoeing and often even trimming the hoof becomes almost impossible. Muscle spasms can also occur in the head and neck region. The eyelids then blink quickly and the ears twitch. The Symptoms generally worsen when the horse is excited.
Lisa Rädlein
Shivering horses often find it difficult to give their hooves.
At the Ride does that Illness less problems. Although many horses initially walk stiffly and sometimes twitch during their first steps, they usually break in quickly. Only at Reverse direction Difficulties usually arise: »No symptoms are visible under the rider and under stress, unless the horse runs backwards. The skill Shivering horses “It’s just bad,” says the vet. When riding on a trailer, horses may have problems balancing themselves.
The disease usually progresses very slowly but continuously. The Muscle spasms become more frequent and last longer, later shrinking Muscles in the Hindquarters. The horse’s legs become stiffer and the horse’s hindquarters become weaker. The animal stands with its legs apart; some Horses cannot easily hold their legs up for long periods of time. “From first twitches up to Muscular atrophy “But it usually takes years,” says Dr. Dirk Fister. He has never had a patient whose muscle weakness was so severe that the horse had to be killed.
Orthopedic spinal problems and arthrosis, especially of the knee and ankle, can be the mysterious consequences Trembling disease be. From a medical perspective, Dr. Dirk Fister no restrictions at the Use of sick horses for example in Sportas long as they only twitch when they give hooves. Dressage horses However, that will be the case limited reverse direction Points cost. »None of mine Shivering Patients “I couldn’t ride anymore because of the illness,” says the vet.
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Causes, symptoms, treatment
- Things worth knowing about Shivering Syndrome
- causes
- Symptoms
- Diagnose
- Treatment
- Proper prevention
- With expert knowledge from Dr. Dirk Fister, equine veterinarian and FEI veterinarian
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