RE: [RC] Vitamin E deficiency in horses - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.
I haven’t been impressed with the
lab testing on vitamin E levels---the results just aren’t all that
sensitive to be really useful. If the hind quarters are quivery, then I’d
rather put the diagnostic budget into checking selenium levels first. I’d
probably also just go ahead and supplement with a good whopping dose of vitamin
E from one of the more bioavailable sources---the water-soluble supplement from
KER, and/or a moderate amount of rice bran, and/or some generic gelcaps from
Wally World. Maybe 4-5000 iu per day for a few weeks, then back it down to 1-2000
a day. Verify that selenium levels are sufficient (more than .20) and if that
still doesn’t solve the problem, look for things causing pain---poor
saddle fit, weak loin, equitation problems, anything else that might cause
pinchy nerves. You might have a good equine chiropractor take a look, and
invest in a horse massage therapist to work the kinks out. I’ve had good
luck with electrostim acupuncture as well, but certified veterinary
acupuncturists are hard to find in some/most areas.
Anyway, try supplements first and work
backwards from there.
Good luck,
Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS
From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kim Richman Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006
1:04 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Vitamin E deficiency
in horses
Hello-
I have a friend and client who
thinks her horse might have a vitamin E deficiency. For over a month her horse
has been exhibiting chattering/shaking of the hind legs. It's almost like he is
having spasms in the hind legs. Most of the chattering/shaking is up in the
stifle area. It started off w/ one leg and now it's both. She is
concerned and wants to get this resolved. She was reading on the internet last
night that it could be a possible vitamin E deficiency. She has had blood taken
on the horse, but the results aren't back yet and I think the lab was
only checking for selenium levels among other things, not for Vitamin E levels.
Anyways, can anyone recommend a lab that can check for vitamin E levels. Or can
any vet lab that does blood work do a vitamin E check.
