Dr Getty
I was rereading your suggestions for Lysine for Mattie the 2 you QH filly. You said not to feed her any more alfalfa due to high potassium. She is HYPP negative N/N. Is there any other reason I should be concerned about potassium? If HYPP is not an issue, is 1 pound a day still too much?

Thanks
Elyce

Hi Elyce! I'm sorry -- I misunderstood you. I thought she was HYPP heterozygous (H/N). Since she is completely negative, there is no concern with the alfalfa.

Wheew -- I threw you around a few loops there!

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

hey Dr getty, long time no ..well, talk.
I manage to learn something new everytime I'm on here. Could one of you please explain What HYPP is? I know what a heterozygote vs a homozygote is and all that genetic stuff, but is HYPP a condition? How does it affect horses and how is it inherited?

Thanks as always for the wealth of knowlege
-Jamie

Hi Jamie! Nice to hear from you!

Here is an excellent article on HYPP published from UC Davis vet school that thoroughly explains HYPP: http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/~lvmillon/hypp/hypp_facts.html

Basically, horses with this genetic disorder have to have diets that are very low in potassium. This can be challenging because hay is typically high in potassium. Fresh grass pasture is best. And, while I generally like to feed alfalfa, I do not recommend it for these horses, even if they are HYPP (H/N) -- heterozygous.

Here's to learning something new every day!

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO