Equine Dysautonomia (Grass Sickness)

NeurologyEquineNew

Key Points

Equine dysautonomia, also known as grass sickness, is a severe polyneuropathy that mainly affects the autonomic and enteric nervous systems
The underlying cause is unknown, but disease is strongly associated with grazing pastures
Key clinical signs include ileus, colic, constipation, intestinal dilation, tachycardia, patchy sweating, lethargy and rhinitis sicca (dry nose)
- Onset can be acute, subacute or chronic
Diagnosis is typically based on the clinical presentation and exclusion of other differentials
There is no curative treatment and humane euthanasia is recommended in the majority of cases

Differential Diagnoses

Intestinal obstruction
Proximal enteritis
Equine motor neuron disease
Oesophageal dysfunction

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