Any ideas on unable to move foreleg?

[claracanter]

Long story short…. I found my husbands horse in the field distressed and unable to move a foreleg. Vet was called. Did all the usual checks but found nothing. Horse could weightbare but only pivot around the leg. Area of pain was top of the leg. Vet thought fracture . X-rayed the leg, thankfully nothing. Huge splint put on the leg and manhandled into the trailer. Horse taken to hospital for further X-rays and scans. Still nothing. Slight swelling at the top of the leg was all, probably been kicked. Horse started to gradually move the leg after about 6 hours. He stayed in hospital where he continued to improve and move around. By the 4th day discharged as sound but to come back in two weeks to repeat scans and X-rays, just incase fracture they’d missed.Box rested but now turned out in tiny paddock. Off all medications now. Looks sound in trot.Reluctant to pay for more scans and X-rays when horse seems perfectly fine. Vets say they’ve never seen anything like it….Any thoughts?

 

[bonny]

I once found my horse completely unable to move as he was on three legs. It was the middle of winter and very deep mud, called the vet who gave us the choice of trying to manhandle him into a stable or pts where he was so we chose the first option and the vet gave him massive amounts of painkillers. He still wouldn’t move so we left him for a couple of hours and then somehow got him to move into the stable. By this time it was dark and there was no electricity so he had more painkillers, still unable or unwilling to move.
Came back at first light to find a sound horse wanting to get back to his field. Never had a problem again and never found out what had caused his apparent broken leg. Maybe yours is the same ?

 

[AmyMay]

Bruise or abscess would be my guess.

 

[Julia0803]

Personally I’d want it X-rayed again- but only because I’m a bit cautious after my pony recently receiving a fracture.

He came in with a small cut on his hock. He was lame for a few steps after being stood still/in his stable. Then sound. I sent a photo to the vet to ask his opinion. I probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t been lame after standing still. They said they’d come and look. The cut was stapled, antibiotics and danilon, they said he should be fine in a few days.

A few days later he was still NQR, occasionally 1/10 lame on it according to physio (pre arranged regular appointment).

I spoke to the vet who said boxrest. Very unlikely it was fractured but better safe than sorry, they’d come out in a week or so to X-ray as often it wouldn’t show up immediately.

By the time they did the first X-ray the vet said sound in walk and trot on straight and circle.

X-rayed and there was a ‘suspicious’ shadow/line, but not quite in the ‘right’ place in relation to the cut/impact. The vet said it probably wasn’t fractured but he couldn’t guarantee it. Continue to box rest and they’d come out again in another two weeks.

The second X-ray showed a ‘L’ shaped fracture- now lining up with the point of impact. He had to be boxrested for a further 4.5 weeks (just under 9w in total).

The vet said the issue with that type of injury is they look sound, you assume they’re fine, chuck them out and then the fracture turns into a proper break under pressure, from pratting about or another knock etc. At which point you have a very serious, if not fatal, problem.

He was xrayed again 4.5 weeks later and was all healed and able to go back out and slowly back into work (more for muscle wastage/fitness/strengthening soft tissue than due to the bone).

Personally, I wouldn’t risk it.

 

[chaps89]

What Julia said above.
There is a poster on her, my memory lets me down on all the detail but she is very thorough in her vet treatments, but long and short was horse had a GA for something unrelated, on coming round from the anaesthetic the fracture gave way and was fatal.
I’d want the peace of mind there’s nothing there before cracking on.
It’s like they don’t usually scan soft tissue right away, they have to wait for swelling to subside before they scan and that’s when you might see any issues.

 

[HeyMich]

Has the horse had vaccinations recently? Our youngster presented like this a few months ago. OOH vet (11pm on Sat Eve!) initially thought field injury and radial nerve damage but it turned out to be a severe reaction to a vaccination she had had the day before on that side of her neck, it caused a temporary paralysis that lasted a few days. She was back to her usual self within a week and hasn't had any long term problems since.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would probably say to the vet that he is sound for the time being but keep your options open tht in the first sign of any more lameness you will go ahead with xrays

 

[claracanter]

I once found my horse completely unable to move as he was on three legs. It was the middle of winter and very deep mud, called the vet who gave us the choice of trying to manhandle him into a stable or pts where he was so we chose the first option and the vet gave him massive amounts of painkillers. He still wouldn’t move so we left him for a couple of hours and then somehow got him to move into the stable. By this time it was dark and there was no electricity so he had more painkillers, still unable or unwilling to move.
Came back at first light to find a sound horse wanting to get back to his field. Never had a problem again and never found out what had caused his apparent broken leg. Maybe yours is the same ?

This sounds exactly like he was. It was horrific. I really thought I was going to lose him. The manhandling was awful.

 

[claracanter]

Has the horse had vaccinations recently? Our youngster presented like this a few months ago. OOH vet (11pm on Sat Eve!) initially thought field injury and radial nerve damage but it turned out to be a severe reaction to a vaccination she had had the day before on that side of her neck, it caused a temporary paralysis that lasted a few days. She was back to her usual self within a week and hasn't had any long term problems since.

Thank you. Interesting to know but he was jabbed back in February

 

[claracanter]

Personally I’d want it X-rayed again- but only because I’m a bit cautious after my pony recently receiving a fracture.

He came in with a small cut on his hock. He was lame for a few steps after being stood still/in his stable. Then sound. I sent a photo to the vet to ask his opinion. I probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t been lame after standing still. They said they’d come and look. The cut was stapled, antibiotics and danilon, they said he should be fine in a few days.

A few days later he was still NQR, occasionally 1/10 lame on it according to physio (pre arranged regular appointment).

I spoke to the vet who said boxrest. Very unlikely it was fractured but better safe than sorry, they’d come out in a week or so to X-ray as often it wouldn’t show up immediately.

By the time they did the first X-ray the vet said sound in walk and trot on straight and circle.

X-rayed and there was a ‘suspicious’ shadow/line, but not quite in the ‘right’ place in relation to the cut/impact. The vet said it probably wasn’t fractured but he couldn’t guarantee it. Continue to box rest and they’d come out again in another two weeks.

The second X-ray showed a ‘L’ shaped fracture- now lining up with the point of impact. He had to be boxrested for a further 4.5 weeks (just under 9w in total).

The vet said the issue with that type of injury is they look sound, you assume they’re fine, chuck them out and then the fracture turns into a proper break under pressure, from pratting about or another knock etc. At which point you have a very serious, if not fatal, problem.

He was xrayed again 4.5 weeks later and was all healed and able to go back out and slowly back into work (more for muscle wastage/fitness/strengthening soft tissue than due to the bone).

Personally, I wouldn’t risk it.

This is the kind of thing I’m worried about

 

[Pinkvboots]

Mine wouldn't walk the day after his vaccination last year but he did have a swelling in his chest that was huge so it was a bad reaction and it's normally the day after if it's going to happen.

It could still be a fracture that was missed it might be worth trying to investigate further a bone scan to cover further up into the shoulder area might be worth asking about maybe.

One of mine had a pedal bone fracture this year that was missed on the first x ray, was picked up on the second lot after a more senior vet did them.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I found my mare pretty much paralysed 12 months ago. Mine was sweeny shoulder injury. Took a long time to get her back and I am very very carful with her now.
sweeney shoulder in horses - Search (bing.com)

 

[paddy555]

presumably the vet has ruled out radial paralysis? I have had 2 in that situation and it does look very worrying. On the 2nd I took the chance that it wasn't a broken leg.

 

[claracanter]

presumably the vet has ruled out radial paralysis? I have had 2 in that situation and it does look very worrying. On the 2nd I took the chance that it wasn't a broken leg.

Yes, they looked into that

 

[nagblagger]

How far up did they xray?
I had similar, found in field reluctant to move, vet called, of course it was 'costapacket', dark o'clock time! He 'ordered' me to cross-tie overnight as he wasn't happy and arranged to xray the following day. A hairline fracture of the elbow was seen, this could have easily been missed, but luckily the orthopaedic specialist was the one on-call that night. Cross tying was the treatment to prevent it getting worse.
Stupid question, but has you horse lied down and got up since the lameness as this would certainly cause further damage and be evident of a serious traumatic injury. If he has been rolling and getting up ok i would be cautiously optimistic that it is nothing serious.
Mine slipped ties one night, went down and needed major orthopaedic surgery, i love credit cards.....!

 

[claracanter]

How far up did they xray?
I had similar, found in field reluctant to move, vet called, of course it was 'costapacket', dark o'clock time! He 'ordered' me to cross-tie overnight as he wasn't happy and arranged to xray the following day. A hairline fracture of the elbow was seen, this could have easily been missed, but luckily the orthopaedic specialist was the one on-call that night. Cross tying was the treatment to prevent it getting worse.
Stupid question, but has you horse lied down and got up since the lameness as this would certainly cause further damage and be evident of a serious traumatic injury. If he has been rolling and getting up ok i would be cautiously optimistic that it is nothing serious.
Mine slipped ties one night, went down and needed major orthopaedic surgery, i love credit cards.....!

Oh no, that sounds traumatic. Yes he’s been lying down and getting up ok. They X-rayed the leg with the mobile machine and then again more thoroughly in the hospital.

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

I had a youngster who did the splits in front and for a couple of days couldn't bring one of his front legs forward past his chest. Frightened me half to death. Healed fine

 

[Barton Bounty]

I had a youngster who did the splits in front and for a couple of days couldn't bring one of his front legs forward past his chest. Frightened me half to death. Healed fine

That sounds sore!!!

 

[SusieT]

I'd get him x-rayed again as the consequences of a fracture are so serious. If x-ray negative I'd be delighted and cracking on with life.

 

[dogatemysalad]

presumably the vet has ruled out radial paralysis? I have had 2 in that situation and it does look very worrying. On the 2nd I took the chance that it wasn't a broken leg.

My horse had radial paralysis after being kicked in the field. He couldn't move his foreleg at all. Thankfully, a very experienced vet knew exactly what it was. After a few days rest and bute, he was back to normal. It was quite dramatic at the time.

 

[smiggy]

Another vote for radial nerve paralysis
a previous horse of mine ran into a gate latch and hit his shoulder on it.
couldn’t move his leg for days, you could lift it and move it for him then he could walk.
just gradually improved though very scarey.
not sure how they could diagnose other than clinical signs so not sure how they are saying definitively not.
especially if there is or was pain And swelling on the shoulder as would indicate trauma to that area

 

[claracanter]

Another vote for radial nerve paralysis
a previous horse of mine ran into a gate latch and hit his shoulder on it.
couldn’t move his leg for days, you could lift it and move it for him then he could walk.
just gradually improved though very scarey.
not sure how they could diagnose other than clinical signs so not sure how they are saying definitively not.
especially if there is or was pain And swelling on the shoulder as would indicate trauma to that area

Yes , it does sound like that doesn’t it? Not sure why they dismissed it but they definitely discussed it. The whole day was a bit of a blur to be honest.

 

[paddy555]

my first one vet diagnosed RP after the horse came in hanging his foreleg and I had to cold hose for several days. Horse did come right and did many thousands more miles over the next 10 years
The second was a pony someone had abandoned on the common where is clearly got beaten up by the moorland stallions. It was dumped on me (still here) and I couldn't get within 50 yards of it. It looked like a possible broken leg but I took a chance on RP, turned him out on his own and in about 3 months he was fully sound. Now well over 10 years later he has never been lame since.
So mine both recovered OK.

 

[lozzles]

We never fully got to the bottom of it with mine but twice he had incidents where he came out of the box non weight bearing on the leg. The first time vet consensus was they'd need to come back with the x-ray machine and there was a lot of talk about how best to stabilise the suspected fracture . By the next day he was weight bearing and in a couple of days sound. Did the same a couple of years later. Thankfully never happened again! I did used to warn livery yards in case it ever happened again so they'd know to give him some time rather than assume the worst.

 

[Equi]

Horsefly bite reaction. This happened to my old lad, came in literally with a peg leg. Because he was grey on that area I was able to find a teeeeeny red dot where he had been bitten. Never reacted like that before or after - just a random occurrence.

 

[claracanter]

We never fully got to the bottom of it with mine but twice he had incidents where he came out of the box non weight bearing on the leg. The first time vet consensus was they'd need to come back with the x-ray machine and there was a lot of talk about how best to stabilise the suspected fracture . By the next day he was weight bearing and in a couple of days sound. Did the same a couple of years later. Thankfully never happened again! I did used to warn livery yards in case it ever happened again so they'd know to give him some time rather than assume the worst.

My boy was weight baring throughout and maybe that was why they didn’t think it was that. We trotted him up yesterday and he looks sound to me but I’m no expert

 

[foxy1]

Claracanter, how did it go with your horse?

My mare came in from the field exactly like this on Thursday; she is weight-bearing but holding the leg very straight, pivots on it rather than take a step, reluctant to bend the leg, and if she does then she drags the toe.
Vet has xrayed elbow but not an easy area to xray apparently. She has had whopping dose of iv bute, and bute twice a day since, but no improvement at all. Just wondered what the outcome was with your horse?

 

[claracanter]

Sorry to hear about your horse. Sounds similar but my husband’s horse recovered quickly. He was taken to horspital but discharged sound after 4 days. We gave him a week off and then just carried on as normal. We didn’t go back for the 2 week scans and X-rays as we’d already paid about £1500 and they hadn’t been able to find anything and he seemed fine. I don’t usually go against vets advice but we just knew he was right. I’m wondering now if it was a kick resulting in a dead leg. He’s been fine since, hacking, schooling and jumping as before. Hope your horse gets better soon.

 

[foxy1]

Thanks- I was on the verge of calling the out of hours vet but she has walked around the stable this evening so a vast improvement already.
Hopefully she will be the same as your horse- it looks like she may have banged the radial nerve, fingers crossed.

 

[claracanter]

Yes. The funny thing was when I phoned the vets in a panic when I found him in the field unable to move, the receptionist said ‘ I bet his banged his radial nerve.’ It was then never mentioned by the vet who came to the field or any of the vets at the horspital or during the subsequent scans or X-rays. I think she was right though!!! Glad to hear your girl is improving, fingers crossed she’ll be back to normal in a few days.