Classification of Some Muscle Diseases

Classification of Muscle Diseases (Myopathies) in Horses

The primary signs that horses have often allow a muscle disease to be divided into 4 broad catagories;

Muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)

Non-exertional rhabdomyolysis

Inflammatory causes
Nutritional causes
Toxic causes

Pasture myopathy (atypical myopathy)

Metabolic causes

Exertional rhabdomyolysis

Sporadic causes
Chronic causes

Muscle atrophy

Neurogenic causes

Equine Motor Neuron Disease
Equine Protozoa Myelitis
Focal Nerve Damage

Myogenic causes

Immune-mediated myopathy:
Chronic Disease
Malnutrition
Disuse
Cushings Disease
PSSM

Abnormal muscle twitching (fasciculations)

Myogenic origin

Myotonia
hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HYPP)
Electrolyte imbalances
botulism

Neurogenic causes

Shivers
Myoclonus
Foacal nerve trauma
Ear ticks

Muscle weakness and exercise intolerance

Metabolic disorders

The focus of research in our laboratory is on causes of rhabdomyolysis and its treatment. Therefore more detailed information is provided on those topics on this website.