Horse HealthHealth CommitteeMissionTo support and enhance the general health and longevity of the Friesian horse Action PlanThe Health committee will be addressing the following issues along with others that arise:
The Heatlh committee would request that any member of FHANA who has a horse that has been tested positive for any of these diseases to please send DNA samples to the FHANA office. 4037 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 160 Lexington, KY 40511These samples will be stored and held confidentially in store. Once an appropriate amount of samples has been accumulated we will then have these samples tested. This committee is in the initial stages of planning and development and appreciates any input the membership can offer regarding any of these health related issues. PSSM EducationWhen is a horse a PSSM Suspect?Symptoms of PSSM:
If after a thorough veterinary examination, PSSM cannot be excluded, have a muscle biopsy performed (from hindquarter) by your veterinarian and have, he/ she submit the biopsy sample for diagnostic evaluation to: Dr. Stephanie Valberg, DVM PhD, University of Minnesota, Minnesota If the muscle biopsy is positive on PSSM collect hair sample:
Send hair sample, a copy of registration papers, and a copy of positive PSSM biopsy results to: Drs. Beth A. Valentine and Stephanie Valberg are fore-runners in the symptomatology, management, and research of PSSM affected horses. They have helped many horse owners to manage their PSSM positive horses with low carbohydrate and high fat diets. Drs. Beth A, Valentine & Stephanie Valberg are the pillars where your PSSM committee builds on to help the Friesian horse owners with affected Friesian horses and our Friesian horse breed as a whole. Dr. Beth Valentine, DVM, PhD –www.ruralheritage.com Information from the Health Committee:The Utrech University is in the advanced stages with their research on the following issues:
dwarfism, hydrocephalus, aorta rupture and mega-oesophagus headed by Prof. Dr. Willem Back. The Health Committee has concluded that the best way we can contribute and help the Friesian population here in North America is to collect and preserve samples and record all of the information. This will identify the carriers and could help in the near future to narrow down the markers on the genome. The Health Committee requests the following information be sent to the FHANA office for storage and filing:
Dwarfism and hydrocephalus: Fetus: digital pictures frozen ear(s) 4 x 4CM / 11/2" x 11/2" identification of sire Mare: photocopy of registration paper two EDTA vials of blood(cooled) term (length) of pregnancy hair sample (if not on file with FHANA) Aorta rupture and mega-oesophagus Good clinical diagnosis report Detailed post mortem report with digital pictures Histopathology report if available Frozen tissue (skin taken along the incision line) 4 x 4CM 11/2" x 11/2" Two EDTA vials of blood(cooled) if possible Photocopy of registration paper Prof Dr. Willem Back PresentationProf Dr. Back was the featured presenter during the 2011 FHANA AGM. Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses Inc.N 3398 State Road 76Hortonville, WI 54944 The Health Committee is pleased to work together with FFFH, INC The Health Committee appreciates their efforts in assisting FHANA members when they experience disease and/or loss with their Friesian companion(s). www.fenwayfoundation.com Fenway Foundation Necropsy Report Health CommitteeFHANA Board Memeber - Willem Bron Representative – Dr. Krista Porter ©2013 FHANA, all rights reserved. Website by |