title: The equine rhabdomyolysis syndrome in the United Kingdom: epidemiological and clinical descriptive information.
abstract: The paper provides some basic epidemiological and clinical descriptive information for the equine rhabdomyolysis syndrome (ERS) in the United Kingdom. Information was obtained retrospectively from laboratory submission data as well as cases investigated by the author via their veterinary surgeon. Sex appeared to be a significant variable, with females being more likely than males to suffer from ERS compared to other conditions (P less than 0.01). More samples were submitted in the period November-February than at other times of the year (P less than 0.01). The condition appeared to be found in many breeds/types. Most episodes occurred whilst animals were being worked, although 38% occurred after exercise. In the majority of instances the affected animal was still able to walk. A clinical description of a very mild, mild, moderately severe and severe case of ERS is given. Utilizing all the information the syndrome was divided into five grades according to the severity of the stiffness and the presence or absence of auxiliary signs such as sweating and discoloured urine.
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012621:Seasons; D013577:Syndrome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology