Scientists seek help to understand grass sickness.
Scientists seek help to understand grass sickness. |  |
Equine grass sickness - (EGS, also known as equine dysautonomia) is characterised by degeneration of nerves throughout the body. Its effects are particularly apparent in the gastro-intestinal tract. The cause has not yet been identified although there is increasing evidence that it may be associated with toxins produced by bacteria in the intestines.
Affected animals show varying degrees of gastro-intestinal dysfunction. Typically, they have a heart rate higher than would be expected for the degree of pain that the horse shows. Other signs include depression, abdominal distension, inability to swallow, muscle tremors and patchy sweating.
There is no known cure. In almost all cases the disease is fatal. Occasionally, mildly affected cases that are still interested in eating may survive with intensive nursing.
As its name suggests, grass sickness is a disease of horses kept on pasture. It occurs in various countries, but is a particular problem in the UK.
The disease is most common in late spring and early summer and most commonly affects younger horses living out on pasture all the time. Horses that are not receiving any additional food seem to be at greater risk of developing the disease.
Several horses may be affected in one field, while horses in nearby fields are unaffected. Horses are at greater risk of developing the disease if they graze pasture on which grass sickness has occurred in the past. Why should this be? It suggests that something in the horse's diet or environment acts as a trigger the disease.
Researchers at the Department of Pharmocognosy and. Phytotherapy, at The School of Pharmacy (University of London) are conducting a project to identify any factors in the pasture or soil that might account for the patchy distribution of the disease.
The research team, led by Professor Michael Heinrich and Dr Sarah Edwards, is keen to hear from members of the public who have premises that have experienced outbreaks of Equine Grass Sickness. They are analysing soil and plant samples from fields where there have been recent cases of the disease.
The researchers are also interested in pastures where horses have not been affected to act as control sites.
For more details of how you can help in this research, please contact:
Dr Sarah Edwards FLS
Sarah.Edwards@pharmacy.ac.uk
Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy
The School of Pharmacy
University of London
29/39 Brunswick Square
London WC1N 1AX
020 7753 5884
Reproduced by kind permission of Mark Andrews.
© Copyright Equine Science Update 2008
Also see our article on the equine grass sickness surveillance scheme which is dependent on publicity and awareness. It is important that all cases of EGS are reported to Claire Wylie at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket: 01638 552993 Ext: 1241 or claire.wylie@aht.org.uk. More information on the scheme can be found at the dedicated website: www.equinegrasssickness.co.uk
Added on: 03/06/08.
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