Atypical myopathy in a horse: first confirmed case in Slovakia

Abstract

Atypical myopathy is an acute and often fatal rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses, caused by ingestion of hypoglycin A, a toxin detected in the seeds and seedlings of sycamore trees. This article describes a case of atypical myopathy in a two-year-old Haflinger colt with clinical signs of weakness, muscle tremors, recumbency and esophageal obstruction. Despite intensive care, the clinical status deteriorated and given the poor prognosis, the horse was euthanized. Diagnosis of atypical myopathy was confirmed by increased concentrations of hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid (MCPA)-carnitine in the serum. Atypical myopathy has been recognized in many European countries. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first confirmed case reported in Slovakia.