Keep Horses Away from Sycamore Trees to Prevent AM

Researchers believe atypical myopathy, or AM, is caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, a toxin found in sycamore seeds.
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Blue Cross, a U.K.-based animal welfare charity, is urging to keep their horses away from sycamore trees following the death of one of the charity’s rehomed ponies caused by atypical myopathy (AM). The charity, in conjunction with veterinarians, has put together some tips to help keep horses safe.

Atypical myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease often seen in horses in the U.K. and Northern Europe. Researchers believe AM is caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, a toxin found in sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) seeds. Researchers have linked a similar condition found in horses in the United States, referred to as seasonal pasture myopathy (or SPM), to hypoglycin A toxins from box elder tree (A. negundo) seeds.

British veterinarians have seen a rise in new cases of AM this spring. Young horses appear to be more susceptible, as are those being grazed on parched land, they observed.

“Horse owners need to be alert at all times but especially during the spring and autumn months," said Blue Cross veterinarian Natasha Seely, BVM&S, MRCVS, of Bourton Vale Equine Clinic in Gloucestershire, England. "If they are worried that their horse may be showing and symptoms they must call their vet immediately. The signs range from depression, muscle weakness, recumbency, choke, or colic-like symptoms to dark red urine. The sooner AM is diagnosed the better the likely outcome

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