Question

Why would you limit or eliminate molasses, soybean meal, or alfalfa hay from the diet of a horse with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)?

A. These ingredients are potential allergens for HYPP-affected horses.
B. They can cause digestive upset in horses with HYPP.
C. They are high in potassium, which can trigger episodes of muscle weakness in HYPP-affected horses.
D. These ingredients interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients in HYPP-affected horses.

Answer 1

Horses with HYPP are sensitive to dietary potassium, and high-potassium foods such as molasses, soybean meal, and alfalfa hay can trigger symptoms of the condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

When managing the diet of a horse with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), it is important to limit or eliminate molasses, soybean meal, or alfalfa hay because C. They are high in potassium, which can trigger episodes of muscle weakness in HYPP-affected horses. Horses with HYPP have a genetic mutation that affects ion channels, making them more sensitive to changes in potassium levels. These ingredients have high potassium content and can exacerbate the symptoms of HYPP, leading to increased muscle weakness or paralysis.