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RE: [RC] Vitamin E deficiency in horses - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.

I haven’t been impressed with the lab testing on vitamin E levels---the results just aren’t all that sensitive to be really useful.  If the hind quarters are quivery, then I’d rather put the diagnostic budget into checking selenium levels first.  I’d probably also just go ahead and supplement with a good whopping dose of vitamin E from one of the more bioavailable sources---the water-soluble supplement from KER, and/or a moderate amount of rice bran, and/or some generic gelcaps from Wally World.  Maybe 4-5000 iu per day for a few weeks, then back it down to 1-2000 a day.  Verify that selenium levels are sufficient (more than .20) and if that still doesn’t solve the problem, look for things causing pain---poor saddle fit, weak loin, equitation problems, anything else that might cause pinchy nerves.  You might have a good equine chiropractor take a look, and invest in a horse massage therapist to work the kinks out.  I’ve had good luck with electrostim acupuncture as well, but certified veterinary acupuncturists are hard to find in some/most areas. 

 

Anyway, try supplements first and work backwards from there.

 

Good luck,

Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS

 


From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kim Richman
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 1:04 PM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] Vitamin E deficiency in horses

 

Hello-

 

I have a friend and client who thinks her horse might have a vitamin E deficiency. For over a month her horse has been exhibiting chattering/shaking of the hind legs. It's almost like he is having spasms in the hind legs. Most of the chattering/shaking is up in the stifle area.  It started off w/ one leg and now it's both. She is concerned and wants to get this resolved. She was reading on the internet last night that it could be a possible vitamin E deficiency. She has had blood taken on the horse, but the results aren't back  yet and I think the lab was only checking for selenium levels among other things, not for Vitamin E levels. Anyways, can anyone recommend a lab that can check for vitamin E levels. Or can any vet lab that does blood work do a vitamin E check.

 

Thanks

Kim


Replies
[RC] Vitamin E deficiency in horses, Kim Richman