Many halter-horse owners continue to feed alfalfa hay as the only roughage but maintain their horses on this drug for all or most of their lives. Please note that this drug is a forbidden substance under AQHA and AHSA regulations. Inform your veterinarian of HYPP condition prior to any general anesthesia, which may precipitate an episode of paralysis. Maintain acetazolamide therapy before and after surgery or anesthesia. Use common sense while hauling.
Acetazolamide treatment is helpful to prevent problems.
There are numerous publications on the disease in humans. Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Episodic weakness caused by hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in horses. Naylor, JM, Robinson, JA, and Bertone, J. Familial incidence of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in Quarter Horses.