Genetics of Equine Neurologic Disease

Lisa Edwards; Carrie J Finno

doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2020.03.006

Genetics of Equine Neurologic Disease

Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2020 Aug;36(2):255-272. doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.03.006.

Authors

Lisa Edwards¹, Carrie J Finno²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Room 4206 Vet Med 3A One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
² Department of Veterinary Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Room 4206 Vet Med 3A One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: cjfinno@ucdavis.edu.

PMID: 32654782
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.03.006

Abstract

Neurologic disease in horses can be particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. These diseases can result in economic losses, emotional distress to owners, and injury to the horse or handlers. To date, there are 5 neurologic diseases caused by known genetic mutations and several more are suspected to be heritable: lethal white foal syndrome, lavender foal syndrome, cerebellar abiotrophy, occipitoatlantoaxial malformation, and Friesian hydrocephalus. Genetic testing allows owners, breeders, and veterinarians to make informed decisions when selecting dams and sires for breeding or deciding the treatment or prognosis of a neurologic animal.

Keywords: Ataxia; Horse; Inherited; Paresis; Seizure.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Genetic Testing / veterinary
Horse Diseases / genetics*
Horses
Nervous System Diseases / genetics
Nervous System Diseases / veterinary*