Equine Sporadic Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (SER)

In this episode of Current Vet, Dr. Lottie talks about equine sporadic exertional rhabdomyolysis, how it’s different from other forms of rhabdomyolysis, which management factors can predispose to the condition and what signs to watch out for in horses 

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Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Case
01:10 Aetiology & Pathogenesis
03:21 Clinical Signs
04:07 Diagnosis
05:52 Treatment
07:54 Prevention
09:13 Key Points
10:21 Outro

Recommended Reading:

• Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery (Hinchcliff, Kaneps & Geor)
• Large Animal Internal Medicine (Smith)
• AAEP Proceedings: Diagnostic Approach to Muscle Disorders (Valberg, 2006)
• Diagnosis and management of equine rhabdomyolysis (in ‘In Practice’ journal)

References:

• Valberg, S.J., 2006. Diagnostic approach to muscle disorders. In: Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, San Antonio, Texas, December 2–6, 2006. American Association of Equine Practitioners, pp.327–334.
• Hinchcliff, K.W., Kaneps, A.J. and Geor, R.J., 2013. Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders.
• Valberg, S.J., 2025. Sporadic and recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 41(1), pp.111–124. doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.003.
• Reed, S.M., Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C., 2018. Equine Internal Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier.
• Keen, J., 2011. Diagnosis and management of equine rhabdomyolysis. In Practice, 33(2), pp.66–73. doi:10.1136/inp.d454.
• Ememe, M.U., 2025. Exertional rhabdomyolysis in horses: a review. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 18(4), pp.12–19. doi:10.9790/2380-1804011219.

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Any clinical cases discussed in this podcast are fictional, and are designed to reflect typical or likely clinical scenarios for educational purposes. They do not represent specific real-life cases, clients, or animals.

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