Vitamin E Deficiency in Horses

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Could your horse be vitamin E deficient without you knowing it? New research suggests this vital nutrient deficiency might be far more common than we realize, even in horses with access to fresh pasture.

Drs. Amy Johnson and Megan Palmisano join Veterinary Vertex to discuss their groundbreaking study examining vitamin E concentrations in hospitalized horses. They share a stunning revelation: approximately 17% of adult horses and 5% of foals arrived at their hospital already deficient in vitamin E, despite coming from the nutrient-rich mid-Atlantic region. Most surprising, these deficiencies occurred across different management styles, suggesting this problem transcends typical risk factors.

As Dr. Johnson explains, vitamin E deficiency has serious implications, particularly for neurological health. Her work as a neurologist revealed connections between vitamin E deficiency and devastating conditions like equine motor neuron disease, equine neuroaxonal dystrophy, and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy. The researchers initially hypothesized that hospitalization might worsen vitamin E status by restricting access to green forage, though their findings suggest short hospital stays don't significantly impact levels.

The conversation delves into practical aspects every horse owner should know: the importance of testing individual horses rather than assuming herd status, proper handling techniques for blood samples to prevent false readings, and recommendations for seasonal testing schedules. Perhaps most critically, they emphasize that horses at the same farm eating identical diets can have dramatically different vitamin E statuses.

For veterinarians and owners alike, this episode offers vital perspective on an often-overlooked aspect of equine nutrition that could prevent serious neurological disease. Understanding your horse's vitamin E status through regular testing and appropriate supplementation when needed provides a simple but potentially life-changing intervention for their long-term health.

Listen, share, and leave us a review to help more horse owners discover this essential information about equine vitamin E requirements!

Open access JAVMA article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.09.0590

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