Equine grass sickness

The disease is displayed as impaired activity in the gut due to nervous system damage . Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a weakening and often fatal disease in horses, ponies and donkeys,


Signs of Grass Sickness
Acute (AGS),
Subacute (SAGS) and
Chronic (CGS)


Signs

• Depression
  
• Absence of gut sounds (ileus)
  
• High heart rate (tachycardia)
  
• Salivation
  
• Discharge from the nose (naso-gastric reflux - above right)
  
• Muscle tremors (fasciculation)
  
• Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
  
• Patchy or generalised sweating
  
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  
• Abdominal discomfort (colic - above left and immediate right)
  
• Constipation (impaction)
  

Causes
Clostridium botulinum (type C), which produces toxin in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract (digestive system) causes damage to the nervous system, interrupting the normal gut movements and stopping digestion proceeding.


Prevention

• Avoiding grazing previously affected fields
  
• Avoiding feed changes
  
• Reducing horse movements between premises/ pastures
  
• Avoiding pasture disturbance

For more information

http://www.pcuk.org/uploads/training/Grass%20Sickness%20Sheet.pdf