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Re: [RC] Blood work recommended? - superpatI may be wrong, but I don't think there is a test which will indicate a predisposition for exertional rhabdomyolysis, aka myositis. After an episode, blood is tested for evidence of myoglobin trapped in the kidneys. I think they also test for amounts of ATP ( adenosine triphosphate)which are energy molecules which fuel the pump that removes calcium from the muscle cells. Oh dear, there is so much involved in describing what happens in the Myositis syndrome. I think it is extremely well described in Dr. Nancy Loving's "Veterinary Manual for The Sport Horse". I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting clear and concise information of all aspects of the health and well being of their performance horse. I can't remember how much it cost but I think it was a bit spendy and well worth every penny. As for predisposition, it is interesting that Dr. Loving points out that "Nervous horses, especially mares and fillies, are prone to Myositis, possibly due to female endrocrine influences". My mare is fairly reactive and somewhat high strung at times. As to preventing Myositis episodes, Dr. Loving stresses attention to " proper warm-up which opens capillary beds in the muscles and activates enzyme systems. A warm-up actually increases muscle temperature by one or two degrees. Warmed muscles are more elastic so they contract and move more efficiently. An adequate cool down flushes lactic acid from the muscle". My protocol with my mare is to always walk her for at least 20 minutes before we trot and at endurance rides, I always leave camp thirty minutes before the ride start to quietly warm her at a walk, away from the hub bub and excitement of the start area. She is a great horse and it is worth this extra management to assure a healthy horse. When the weather is cold, it is even more important to have a proper warm-up. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: <drhopkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: <horsesctr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 10:03 AM Subject: [RC] Blood work recommended? I would really appreciate any input as to what specifically should be tested for a baseline blood workup and to see if he would be predisposed to tying up. The vet was out last week and drew blood. I told him I wanted a Coggins, Sport Horse blood work up and make sure that the Selenium is tested. He didn't know what a 'Sport Horse Blood work up' was and wanted me to tell him exactly what I wanted tested. It turns out that he has to come back out to draw more blood because he needs 2ml just for the Selenium testing. He's a young doctor, very good with the horses and very willing to do anything I request without getting mad. He does seem to be up on alot of stuff (ie WNV, more reactions this year to vaccinations etc) just not up on Sport Horses. He was willing to give ech vaccination in a different area (neck, eaach hip and chest) so that I could tell which vacc the horse was having a reaction to if they had one. I recorded which vacc at each site, but fortunately no reactions. Thanks in Advance, Anna =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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