PSSM2 - Any hope?

[Kati7095]

After spending almost a year trying to figure out what was wrong with my mare, I finally received a real diagnosis today. PSSM2 positive through muscle biopsy sent to Michigan State. I am already a member of the Facebook group PSSM Forum, but was hoping to cross post here to get more feedback.

Please tell me what has worked and hasn’t worked for your PSSM2 horse.

Are there any that are managed well enough to be competing? My mare had done up to the 1.40 before I imported her, and we had just moved up to the Low A/Os.

Would love to hear others’ experiences with type 2. Thanks!

[ecileh]

I don’t have any experience with Type 2, but I do have a Type 1 horse and just wanted to offer you some support virtually…it’s a frustrating disease.

[Kati7095]

Thanks. It’s been frustrating to even get to this point… but I’m guessing I have more frustration in my future. I’m thankful that I finally have an answer, but I wonder at what point do I stop getting my hopes up that I’ll have my horse back.

[ecileh]

I know that Type 1 is easier to manage than Type 2, but I can say that I mostly have my horse back with very regimented diet and exercise routines. I still have to worry about things like sugars in the grass/hay…but she is mostly okay.

[JB]

Hetero or homozygous?

Many horses are very successfully managed with a proper diet - high fat, low NSC. Treat them as if they are IR in regards to sugars, and get the fat added.

Many also benefit from “over” blanketing - blanketing before you normally would have in the past, and blanketing a bit more, so those muscles don’t get cold, or shiver and get sore. Using a BOT sheet under a blanket can help too.

[TwoDreamRides]

I have a Type 2 and am on the PSSM forum. I don’t compete regularly, but I when I do it’s 3’6" - we will move into jumpers at 1.2M in 2017. My guy is also 17, so he’s a senior.

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13962553_938444258219_403442881458973698_n.jpg?oh=b12ea8c1330fe19508dae086c3667618&oe=58B49D1F

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/1911021_737306819259_3525483187456562849_o.jpg

[Kati7095]

JB, I’m not sure. She was diagnosed through muscle biopsy… we tested her for PSSM1 with the hair test through Animal Genetics and she came back n/n. Also, it is my understanding that type 1 is high fat and type 2 is high protein.
She hates blanketing and I actually borrowed a BOT mesh sheet and have started using it this week… she definitely is not a fan. I am planning on sticking with it for now, and will purchase my own if I find that her attitude improves.

[Kati7095]

TwoDreamRides, that is really encouraging… thank you. Could you share your experience? How bad the symptoms were prior to diagnosis and what your management looks like?

[JB]

https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/valberg-laboratory/type-2-polysaccharide-storage-myopathy#7.-how-do-i-manage-a-horse-with-pssm2?

“The recommendations for diet for PSSM2 are similar to those for PSSM1. Ensuring adequate protein content in the diet is an additional recommendation for PSSM2 horses especially those with loss of muscle mass. Whey based formulations are recommended at the manufacturers recommended amount. Progressive’s topline Xtreme or Purina’s Supersport are two such supplements. Feeding within 45 min of exercise may enhance development of muscle mass.”

So yes, some higher protein, but also lower NSC and higher fat.

What’s interesting is the “feeding withing 45 minutes…” part - I had not heard/read that before.

[Kati7095]

Yes, I found that interesting as well. I emailed Dr Valberg today to see if she would discuss the biopsy results and prognosis with me. The members of the Facebook forum have been tremendously supportive and knowledgeable, but it definitely seems like it will be trial and error for awhile.

[piedmontfields]

[QUOTE=Kati7095;8946485]
it definitely seems like it will be trial and error for awhile.[/QUOTE]

I know it is frustrating to work through what works for your horse, but try not to lose hope! Management changes can make a big difference.

My mare has likely PSSM2 (diagnosed through bloodwork, symptoms and ruling out other possibilities–I did not do the muscle biopsy). With diet changes and steady exercise, she exhibits very few symptoms, other than being more sludgy to warm up in cold temperatures–and needing more exercise in cold temperatures to be comfortable.

She schools 2nd/3rd level dressage (mediums are hard for us!), trail rides, and is quite sound and happy in her 5 day/week work.

[Kati7095]

Thanks piedmontfields. I definitely have an ideal situation in regards to management because she lives at home and I work from home… so my life can basically revolve around her. It’s just overwhelming trying to decifer what changes help and those that don’t.
My local feed store owner is a nutritionist, but she had never heard of type 2 when I mentioned it. So she has helped with the basic requirements, but I still would like to consult with a nutritionist that has experience with type 2.
I’m also reading a lot about feeding alfalfa (which I used to feed T/A and soaked alfalfa cubes) but she wants me to only feed Timothy because she thinks the sugar content in alfalfa is higher than people tend to believe.

[knic13]

[QUOTE=Kati7095;8946716]
Thanks piedmontfields. I definitely have an ideal situation in regards to management because she lives at home and I work from home… so my life can basically revolve around her. It’s just overwhelming trying to decifer what changes help and those that don’t.
My local feed store owner is a nutritionist, but she had never heard of type 2 when I mentioned it. So she has helped with the basic requirements, but I still would like to consult with a nutritionist that has experience with type 2.
I’m also reading a lot about feeding alfalfa (which I used to feed T/A and soaked alfalfa cubes) but she wants me to only feed Timothy because she thinks the sugar content in alfalfa is higher than people tend to believe.[/QUOTE]

I have seen varying recommendations regarding inclusion of alfalfa in pssm2 diets. I think part of the difference may be due to the average NSC of alfalfa in the region where the author of these various recs resides. Based on the Dairy One database, a lab that tests a large number of samples from across the country, on average alfafa tests lower than grass hays. That is not to say that you can’t have a high NSC alfalfa or low NSC grass. There are a lot of factors that influence NSC levels.

If your hay supply is consistent the best thing you can do is get it tested. A basic analysis through Equi-analytical is only $18 and money well spent.

[Kati7095]

Unfortunately my hay supply isn’t consistent enough to rely on testing. I just have 4 horses at home so don’t purchase a large quantity at a time.
I guess I could always check with my feed store and see how often they get a new batch and take a few tests over a course of the year.

Knic13, do you have a PSSM2 horse?

[knic13]

When in doubt you can always soak hay for that one horse.

My only familiarity with the analysis on alfalfa cubes is the standlee brand, but they are low NSC. I would check into the brand you are currently feeding and if they are low enough stick with them. At least that way you can keep some of your forage NSC low and hopefully offset some of the higher NSC hay loads you may purchase.

Muscle myopathy suspected, vet suspects RER rather than PSSM2 due to breed, although PSSM2 is also possible. Working my way through diagnostics currently but don’t have a definitive diagnosis.

In the meantime I’ve done lots of reading on dietary management, including the scientific literature available, and have switched to a low NSC high fat diet. Dietary management is similar for both disorders although the mechanisms are different.

In hindsight there are a lot of little NQR over the last 6 months that MAY be explained by RER/PSSM2, although this particular horse has had several other issues at the same time. Things didn’t become overtly problematic until this fall, leading me to suspect that the abnormally long fall period of warm days/cold nights we have had led to high NSC pasture for a long period of time and pushed things over the edge. I did send a sample of my pasture in for analysis and am very interested to see where NSC are at.

As such I’ve been following your thread with interest! I’m trying to stay optimistic but a little overwhelmed by the inexact nature of treating these disorders.

[Kati7095]

Ah it’s so frustrating isn’t it!? Are you on the Facebook book PSSM Forum? That is where I initially read about the symptoms and decided to test her for it. It’s nice to hear about the different experiences, but I think that type 1 is more documented and therefore discussed more. If you aren’t on it, I highly recommend you join.

[knic13]

Super frustrating! I am a member of the fb forum and have found it helpful. My vet had already suggested a muscle myopathy but reading about all of the more minor symptoms on the forum set some serious bells ringing for me.

[piedmontfields]

[QUOTE=Kati7095;8946716]

I’m also reading a lot about feeding alfalfa (which I used to feed T/A and soaked alfalfa cubes) but she wants me to only feed Timothy because she thinks the sugar content in alfalfa is higher than people tend to believe.[/QUOTE]

Interesting, as other reliable sources praise the low NSC of alfalfa (I feed soaked alfalfa pellets).

Honestly I think that turnout and regular exercise (hand walking, lungeing, riding!) is a huge factor in management of PSSM.

Good luck finding the right mix for your horse.

[2horseygirls]

Dr Beth Valentine has done a lot of research on PSSM - not sure which type. If you google “Dr Beth Valentine PSSM”, the list of Rural Heritage articles should come up, and give you a starting point on some diet suggestions. Good luck!

She is awesome to talk to - I’ve been emailing with her, and she’s been very helpful. Not to mention, I’ve cut waaaay back on complete feed (Purina Ultium Competition), and SmartPaks, and my 10 yo Percheron looks better than he ever has in his life!

[Kati7095]

Thanks everyone