What is the HYPP gene in horses?

What is the HYPP gene in horses?

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an inherited disease of the muscle which is caused by a genetic mutation. In affected horses, a point mutation exists in the sodium channel gene (SCN4A) that can be passed on to offspring. HYPP was one of the first genetic disorders to be elucidated in the horse.

What does HYPP N N mean?

HYPP is inherited as a dominant trait, which means a heterozygous (N/H) stallion or mare bred to a nor- mal (N/N) horse will result in approximately half of the offspring being affected and half being normal.

What is the difference between HYPP and PSSM?

PSSM can often be managed with diet and exercise changes but there is no cure or medication used to treat it. HYPP is an inherited muscle disease causing an abnormality in how muscle cells manage electrolytes.

How do you test for HYPP in horses?

How is HYPP diagnosed? Horses that exhibit clinical signs and are descendants of the stallion “Impressive” on either the sire or dam’s side are highly likely to be affected with HYPP. A DNA test is performed to verify that a horse has HYPP.

How do you lower potassium in a horse?

Treatment. One treatment option is administering intravenous (IV) calcium borogluconate (23%) in a 5-liter bag of isotonic fluids. This calcium-containing fluid will not reduce plasma potassium concentrations, but it can help protect the heart muscle from their negative effects.

How did impressive get HYPP?

Impressive was born in 1969, and in short order he passed the dominant HYPP gene on to thousands within his breed, a domino effect of disease rushed along by artificial insemination. The disease stands out because its spread was hastened and, in effect, promoted by breeders.

Is HYPP treatable?

Treatment of HYPP attacks by intravenous application of calcium gluconate, bicarbonate and glucose results in rapid recovery. Consequent dietary management and daily administration of acetazolamide effectively controls the disease.

Can you ride a horse with PSSM?

Once conditioned, some PSSM horses thrive with four days of exercise as long as they receive daily turnout. For riding horses with type 2 PSSM, a prolonged warm-up with adequate stretching is recommended.”

What is the difference between PSSM1 and PSSM 2?

For clarity, the form of PSSM caused by a glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) gene mutation is now termed type 1(PSSM1) whereas the form or forms of PSSM that are not caused by the GYS1 mutation and whose origin is yet unknown are now termed type 2 (PSSM2).

What breeds are affected by HYPP?

HYPP occurs in the following breeds.

  • Quarter Horses.
  • American Paint Horses.
  • Appaloosas.
  • Quarter Horse crossbreds.

What causes high potassium in a horse?

The two main causes of hyperkalemia include failure of the kidneys to remove potassium (which gets excreted in the urine) and abnormal potassium release from cells.

Is alfalfa hay high in potassium?

Alfalfa hay tends to contain high levels of potassium and should not be fed to horses with HYPP.

Can a horse have two copies of the HYPP gene?

Since 2007, the American Quarter Horse Association no longer registers Impressive progeny who have two copies of the mutated gene. The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of California Davis tests for HYPP mutations using main or tail hair.

Can a horse with H / H genotype have periodic paralysis?

Horses with H/H genotype can display episodes of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and typically are more severely affected. They will transmit this hyperkalemic periodic paralysis variant to all of their offspring. Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an inherited disease of the muscle which is caused by a genetic mutation.

What are the signs of HYPP in horses?

Affected horses can exhibit signs that include muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis and collapse. The signs of HYPP can be confused with other diseases and conditions.

Can you breed a quarter horse with HYPP?

HYPP is a genetic disease noted by mild to severe episodes of muscle spasms and trembling. HYPP links back to the Quarter Horse sire Impressive. Breeders should refrain from using any HYPP horses for breeding.