Could Gypsy Vanner horses (GVs) have a genetic predisposition to neurological diseases? This study evaluates the clinical phenotype, blood vitamin E concentrations, and pedigree in a cohort of GV horses with a high prevalence of neurologic disease suspicious for equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM). The research involved 26 GVs from a farm in California and two cases from the Midwestern U.S. The study found that a significant percentage of GVs had low pre-supplementation blood vitamin E concentrations. Though post-supplementation concentrations varied, normalization was associated with increasing age. Necropsy confirmations of eNAD/EDM in euthanized horses (n=4) further supported the suspicion. The study concludes that GVs may have a genetic predisposition to eNAD/EDM, suggesting vitamin E supplementation and monitoring should be considered in young GVs. These findings have important implications for the veterinary care and management of GVs, potentially improving their health outcomes.
Published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, this study directly aligns with the journal’s emphasis on advancing knowledge and improving diagnostic and treatment strategies for diseases affecting animals. The investigation into eNAD/EDM in Gypsy Vanner horses contributes to the field of veterinary neurology.