Southwest Missouri
Arabian Horse Club

Health & Conformation
ARABIAN HORSE LETHALS.

For more information on the following diseases, please visit:  http://www.foal.org/

As responsible Arabian horse owners and breeders, it is our responsibility to make ourselves aware of diseases that affect Arabian Horses.  Description of disease from the Arabian Foal Association.

S.C.I.D. (COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY)

SCID is a lethal disease of Arabian foals inherited as an autosomal recessive. Lacking a competent immune system, SCID foals succumb before five months of age to massive infection, primarily of the respiratory tract. More information coming soon.


OCCIPITAL-ATLANTO-AXIAL MALFORMATION=OAAM

This is a condition of the nervous system that ranges from a lack of coordination of voluntary muscular movements to the paralysis of both front and rear legs. Vertebrae fuse together in the neck and fuse to the base of the skull as well. Foals often cannot stand to nurse or the symptoms may not be seen for several weeks. More information coming soon.


CEREBELLAR DISEASE=CEREBELLAR ABIOTROPHY

Degeneration of the granular layer of the cerebellum portion of the brain causes a lack of coordination, a lack of balance and head tremors. Symptoms generally do not occur until the foal is several weeks old. The gait (movements) become exaggerated and the legs are placed wide-apart to stand at rest. Early indications include crashing into fences and falling over backwards.  For more information, click here.


DILUTE LETHAL=LAVENDER

Brain lesions cause behavior that is frequently consistent to when the brain is denied oxygen a birth. Foals are often the result of a difficult birth, are unable to stand and nurse, have rigidity in their joints and may have rapid eye movements. Coat color is a dull gray and the skin tends to be an unhealthy pink color; hence, lavender. These foals die. See the new research now being done at Cornell U, the information is below to download. More information coming soon.




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Conformation Info.
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Hoof care.
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