Motor Neuron Disease, Equine
Basic Information 
Epidemiology
Risk Factors
• Unknown and likely multifactorial mechanism of acquiring disease.
• A depleted vitamin E status is strongly incriminated as a causal factor in the disease. Affected animals have lower levels than normal control subjects on the same premises.
• The vast majority of cases have limited or no access to grass.
• Concentrate feeding with poor-quality hay: Pelleted ration or supplement feeding lacking vitamin E
• Malabsorption: Concurrent enteric or hepatic disease
Clinical Presentation
History, Chief Complaint
• In early cases, weight and muscle loss despite a normal to increased appetite.
• Muscle tremors, sweating, and increased periods of recumbency are seen.
• Tends to stabilize or improve 1 or 2 months after the onset of signs. Muscle tremors and periods of recumbency tend to become less frequent.
• Progression of signs after a period of stabilization does occur.
• Body weight may return to predisease levels as the horse accumulates fat.
• A subclinical syndrome has been recognized; however, the athletic ability is permanently impaired to varying degrees.
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