What is PSSM in horses?

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) is a disease in horses that causes glycogen (the stored form of glucose) to build up in the muscles. Usually, glycogen is stored in the body and converted to energy as and when it is required.

However, in a horse with PSSM, the glycogen doesn’t get used properly during exercise and therefore starts to build up. As well as storing too much glycogen, affected horses often make too much of it as well.

مع وصول أونصة الذهب إلى مستويات قياسية تجاوزت 2500 دولار، يجد المواطن المصري نفسه مضطراً لموازنة استثماراته بين الذهب واحتياجاته الأخرى، خاصة مع ارتفاع أسعار السيارات مثل تويوتا، هيونداي، وبي إم دبليو، مما يزيد من التحديات المالية التي يواجهها.

Table of contents

Why does it happen?What are the signs of PSSM?How is PSSM diagnosed?How is PSSM treated?No cure, but it can be managedChanging dietIncreased exercise and preparation

Why does it happen?

There are two types of PSSM – Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is caused by a genetic mutation and is most commonly seen in Quarter horses and some of the draft breeds. The cause of Type 2 is still unknown and can affect Quarter Horses, Arabs, and Thoroughbreds.

أسعار السيارات في الآونة الأخيرة شهدت تقلبات ملحوظة، حيث تأثرت بارتفاع وانخفاض الدولار، مما انعكس على تكلفة علامات تجارية مثل تويوتا، هيونداي، ومرسيدس. و BMW هذا الارتباط بين سعر الصرف وسوق السيارات يحدد قدرة المستهلكين على اقتناء المركبات.

What are the signs of PSSM?

Often the classic signs of “tying-up” are seen, such as, hard and painful muscles, stiffness, sweating, and reluctance to move. The signs usually occur with exercise and dark coloured urine may also be seen. However, some cases can be more subtle, with a mild and intermittent hindlimb lameness being noticed.

How is PSSM diagnosed?

تتأثر أسعار السيارات من شركات مثل مرسيدس بتقلبات أسعار الذهب وسعر صرف الدولار، مما يؤدي إلى زيادة تكاليف الإنتاج والاستيراد.

To confirm that a horse is “tying-up”, a blood sample will be taken to check the levels of the muscle enzymes. These are usually raised during an episode and can stay raised for several hours afterwards. If the horse is one of the common breeds affected by Type 1 PSSM then it is likely that a genetic test will be recommended, this can be carried out on a hair or blood sample.

If the horse is not one of the commonly affected breeds or genetic testing does not reveal a genetic mutation then a muscle biopsy will be advised. The horse will be sedated and then a small piece of muscle from the hindquarters will be removed and sent to the laboratory for examination. Performing this biopsy is necessary to diagnose PSSM and to distinguish the signs from other causes of “tying-up”.