Please tell me about PSSM / EPSM (Polysaccharide storage myopathy)

[Live2Jump]

My 2 yo gelding has just been diagnosed with PSSM / EPSM (Polysaccharide storage myopathy) after a muscle biopsy.

Has anyone here dealt with this? Did the recommended regular work + diet change help? If you had a young horse like mine, were you also advised to work them beyond 24/7 turnout at all? If so, what did you do with them that was still ok with their growing joints?

What high fat, low carb/sugar/starch diets are working for you?

Before this diagnosis, my guy was getting:
- free choice timothy/orchard mix hay
- beet pulp and alfalfa pellets (mixed together and soaked)
- a vitamin supplement
- corn oil
- 3 lbs grain per day

Sounds like I will need to increase the BP/alf pellets/oil and stop giving the grain. Then maybe add some stabilized rice bran if that isn't enough calories for him...

Are there any feeds (meant to work with this special diet) that could also help?

TIA guys!

[equineartworks]

Do a search here for PSSM and EPSM. There have been some excellent threads recently on the subject. :)

Here is the link for the basic diets from Dr. Valentine too

http://www.draftresource.com/EPSM/Draft_EPSM_DIets.html

[manyspots]

Well, I am awaiting the results of the genetic test on my guy for PSSM, but there is a strong likelihood, especially since the vet was here with him Saturday while he was tying-up. :no:

Check this out and all the associated articles:
http://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/epsmdiet_goals.htm

Dr. Valentine who writes this is awesome!!!! There is even a forum buried in there somewhere.

My guy is on:

2 lbs. plain beet pulp a day (pre soaked wieght)
2 lbs. alfalfa cubes (also soaked, per day)
4,000 IU Vitamin E
3 mg Selenium
16 oz. canola oil
Quiessence (magnesium)

We started this diet overhaul about three weeks ago, and while his muscles are softer, it is too soon to see long term results. From what I understand, it can take 2-4 months to see a difference. As for exercise, talk to your vet as yours is a 2 y.o. Mine is 8 and on 24/7 turnout and does fine being worked. Just needs a ton of warm up time.

Feed I know of for this condition includes:
Triple Crown Low Starch
Omegatin
Blue Seal Carb Guard
Re-Leve
Pennfield Fibergized

But personally, I love the beet pulp/alf/oil we are doing now. If you are boarding that may be tougher, so check those feeds out or see what is available near you.

Others will chime in.... I'm just the newbie :lol:.

[JB]

I think I'd definitely have his E and Se levels checked. That's really important for these guys.

[Live2Jump]

I think I'd definitely have his E and Se levels checked. That's really important for these guys.

Test is in process already. Should hear back any day. :)

[Live2Jump]

Feed I know of for this condition includes:
Triple Crown Low Starch
Omegatin
Blue Seal Carb Guard
Re-Leve
Pennfield Fibergized

But personally, I love the beet pulp/alf/oil we are doing now. If you are boarding that may be tougher, so check those feeds out or see what is available near you.

Thanks, I'll check those out. I've been pretty happy with how he was doing with the BP/alf/oil in his old diet, so I will definitely try increasing that first. It's good to know what other things are also available though - in case he doesn't hold weight with that alone.

[Live2Jump]

Here is the link for the basic diets from Dr. Valentine too

http://www.draftresource.com/EPSM/Draft_EPSM_DIets.html

Great link, thanks!

[equineartworks]

Paco loves version number 6. And he has done brilliantly on it so far. It was the only thing that seemed to turn him around.

Here is a link (it's facebook) to his rehab photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032612&id=1547283211&l=7b2a470bf0

[Patty Lynch]

Where are you, Live2Jump?

Dr. Valentine is doing a few seminars here in March thanks to the Farmer's Co-Op. http://www.farmerscoop.com/Valentine_Seminar-_Muscle_Disease%5B1%5D.pdf

She developed a high fat/low starch feed specifically for EPSM/PSSM horses. You can find it on the Co-op website. It's a great feed for "normal" horses too :)

I have an EPSM Belgian and as a farrier, I work on quite a few with the various muscle diseases. I think 2 of my clients are going to be demo horses for the seminars.

[Live2Jump]

Where are you, Live2Jump?

Dr. Valentine is doing a few seminars here in March thanks to the Farmer's Co-Op. http://www.farmerscoop.com/Valentine_Seminar-_Muscle_Disease%5B1%5D.pdf

We're out west, so I was excited at first when I saw Dr. V was from OR - then I realized that the clinic wasn't there. I'll have to look and see if she has any scheduled closer to me... thanks!

[Live2Jump]

Paco loves version number 6. And he has done brilliantly on it so far. It was the only thing that seemed to turn him around.

Here is a link (it's facebook) to his rehab photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032612&id=1547283211&l=7b2a470bf0

Thanks for the pics, that is encouraging. :yes: Anyone else with a success story to share?

Does anyone know what the difference is between 'type 1' and type 2'?

[manyspots]

This may help:
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/umec/lab/PSSM/home.html

Type 1 is genetic, whereas Type 2 must be verified by muscle biopsy and the verdict is still out on genetics.

My guy just came back positive for Type 1 PSSM. We did the genetic (hair sample) test through University of Minnesota and I got my results yesterday.

As far as a success story.... as I mentioned before we are just beginning our journey, but I am please to announce that one month after starting the diet, my guy has a tremendous change in his stride! I am still anticipating set backs, but those are to be expected. My guy gladly gobbles up his oil/beet/alf cube mix (or the "mess" as I like to call it). Watch out for the refusal on the oil... mine started leaving some behind a few weeks ago, but got over it and now licks his bucket clean.

We need a support group!!! :)

[Live2Jump]

We need a support group!!! :)

Yes we do!! :yes: Thanks for sharing your story -