*This article may not be reproduced without the written consent of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health.About one in 2,000 people in the U.S. Familial occurrence of narcolepsy in Miniature Horses. Lunn, D.P., Cuddon, P.A., Shaftoe, S., Archer, R.M. Pharmacokinetics of imipramine in narcoleptic horses. Peck, K.E., Hines, M.T., Mealey, K.L., Mealey, R.H. Hypocretin Measurement in an Icelandic Foal with Narcolepsy. Veterinary Quarterly 32(2): 99-102.īathen-Nöthen, A., Heider, C., Fernandez, A.J., Beineke, A., Sewell, A.C., Otto, M., Tipold, A. Familial narcolepsy in the Lipizzaner horse: a report of three fillies born to the same sire. Ludvikova, E., Nishino, S., Sakai, N., Jahn, P. Episodes that look like narcolepsy are generally more likely to be the result of sleep deprivation due to pain that inhibits the horse from lying down, excessive light or sounds that keep the horse from getting adequate sleep, and other similar environmental causes. It is important to note that narcolepsy is actually quite uncommon in horses. Inherited components have been proposed in some breeds, so affected horses should not be bred. Since the underlying cause of narcolepsy is unknown, preventative measures have not been defined. There are safety and welfare implications for horses that exhibit repeated collapse. Horses usually regain control within minutes of an attack, but those that collapse frequently can suffer from knee, head, and face trauma. Reported results are variable and adverse effects can occur. The antidepressant drug imipramine may be given orally or by injection to treat narcolepsy. This usually requires a physical examination, along with laboratory tests based on the clinical signs and patient history. Other neurologic conditions, musculoskeletal, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular causes, and sleep deprivation should be ruled out. Low levels of hypocretin-1 in the CSF are characteristic of sporadic (non-familial) cases of narcolepsy in humans and dogs, but this has not been established in horses. Hypocretins are produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and have important roles in regulating sleep and wakefulness. Video monitoring, accurate records of the horse’s sleep behavior, and evidence of wounds on the fetlocks, knees, and face, can aid in diagnosis.Īffected horses may show decreased levels of the hormone hypocretin-1 in samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The administration of drugs such as atropine and physostigmine salicylate can induce narcoleptic episodes in affected horses. Cataplexy is the best diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy, but narcolepsy can also occur without cataplexy. Narcolepsy can be challenging to diagnose and there are currently no established criteria for definitive diagnosis. They may exhibit swaying and frequent stumbling. Affected horses may be observed to frequently rest their heads or hindquarters on fences or other objects. What are the clinical signs of narcolepsy?Ĭlinical signs of narcolepsy can range from lowering of the head to buckling of the knees and sometimes sudden collapse. The exact cause of narcolepsy in horses is unknown. Horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) have been reported to exhibit narcolepsy-like episodes. Sporadic cases have also been noted in other breeds. In horses, narcolepsy appears to be breed specific, with familial narcolepsy reported in Lipizzaners, Miniature Horses, Shetland ponies, and Suffolks. Narcolepsy in horses is broadly categorized into two groups: onset at birth or within a few weeks of age, and adult onset. Affected animals may also exhibit a temporary lack of muscle tone and reflexes (cataplexy) that can be caused by stimuli such as sounds, feeding time, saddling, leading, and other environmental triggers. These episodes often occur during periods of inactivity. It results in excessive sleepiness during the day and “attacks” of sleep that are accompanied by rapid eye movements. Narcolepsy is a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder. Sleep disorders have been reported in many mammalian species, but are generally rare and not well understood. Episodes that look like narcolepsy are often the result of sleep deprivation. The exact cause of narcolepsy in horses is unknown and there is no cure.Familial narcolepsy has been reported in some breeds, with sporadic cases noted in other breeds.Horses with narcolepsy may exhibit a temporary lack of muscle tone and reflexes (cataplexy).Narcolepsy is a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder that results in excessive sleepiness during the day and “attacks” of sleep that are accompanied by rapid eye movements and always triggered by external stimuli such as environmental sounds, being startled, new situations, play, feeding, or stressful events.
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