Epilepsy in Horse

[Plowris]

Hi

Has anyone has any experience with their horse having epilepsy.

Also what tests can the vet do to find out and is the long term good?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[GTs]

Yeah, I have some knowledge of it. My adopted younger sister's horse had a few siezures after a trailer accident. The horse was on some medication for 1 month, and then weaned of it and has been fine ever since.

If it is trauma is not always perminant. What is exactly going on with your horse?

 

[Plowris]

Hi

First time was after being ridden for five minutes, she had like a spasm ( thought heart attack) and my boyfriend jumped off. After a couple of minutes she was absolutely fine and he continued on a slow hour ride. The second time was a few months later at the end of a normal ride at the bottom on a hill and i dismounted and she recovered and i led her home.
All Blood tests and worm count were fine, heart, temperature etc have been checked and all is fine.

Two weeks ago after a fast ride on the yard i halted her and she had another spasm, i jumped off and again after a couple of minutes she recovered. Her head goes down, eyes nearly shut and she staggers on her hind legs, gait goes pottery and when led on recovers.

She has also done it three times after a feed. But this week did it in the field after being observed as looking dull for two days and the vet was called again, he is checking for enymes, liver etc. Not got the results yet.

I bred her myself, so know most of her back ground.

 

[GTs]

It sounds rather nasty -

Personally I think with a local vet you can faff around all day and spend huge sums of money - for something like this I would go off to one of the prominent hospitals - one with someone boarded (or UK equivilant) in neurology who will see your horse.

The trauma that caused this one horses episodes was really nothing impressive, just had a paddie in the trailer. Your horse could have been kicked, bagged its head, etc that has caused something similar. I guess the key would be how long these have been going on for which would determine that.

I definitely would go off for a specialist, local vets will not have had a huge amount of experience in these type of things.

 

[Plowris]

I have to agree with you I really feel that they have no idea.

If all the lastest tests come back as normal i am going to get her referred to New Market after checking with the insurance company at least this way i may find out the long term prognosis.

 

[GTs]

I think have never had a problem getting referred or with the insurance company - I am sure at New Market they have someone who is an expert in this field.

 

[Plowris]

It has only been this year that the siezures have been happening. She has hunted succesfully etc. Fingers crossed it can be sorted.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Im really sorry to hear about your horse. I have not heard of epilepsy in horses personally, but had a similar problem with my mare a couple of years ago which turned out (after 6 days at Bristol Vets Hospital) to be concussion.
I agree with GTs that it could be neurological. When she has an attack, does she become uncoordinated, i.e. legs high stepping, head shying (as if about to be hit) etc? Has anyone suggested putting a towel over her eyes and walking her in the school in small circles?

 

[GTs]

I would not start doing neurological tests on horses - you do not know what you are doing, what you are looking for and could end up with a horse on the floor!

 

[Llwyncwn]

Sorry, didnt mean to suggest that she tries neuro tests herself. Was half way down rather nice shiraz - meant to say had the vet suggested or carried this out. ..... walks away with one red eye and a bad head.

 

[moon_drop]

I own the oldest pony with epilepsy in the UK (we think)

My pony Willie has epilepsy and has had for 7 years. It started like yours I hate to say this it got much worse it has taken us six years to get he's fits under contol. I had to contact a vet in liverpool to get it conframed. I couldn't find a vet in scotland that had even heard of epilepsy in horses. the his name is Professor Derek Knottenbelt, he may be able to help you. you do get drags for it but I didn't go down that route, We went the longer route of finding the triger for the fit we found out that one of the trigers was grass!!!
When willie has A fit he fall down and his legs race his jaws lock open his eyes roll it can last anything from 5 mins to half an hour,he loses his sight once he cames out of it and we have to keep him down until his nerves stop twiching, his sight returns about 3 hours later. he also has mini fits.
I can tell you alot more if you want ?
willie is 26yrs old now and is the bay in my siggy below

 

[Plowris]

Hi all

Well touch wood and all that she seems to be fine and not had another siezure. I was reading all about azortoria and came across something called PSSM and ESPM so I have changed her diet to nothing with sugar in. Unmolassed sugar beet, happy hoof and corn oil and vitamins and she is going really well and looks fantastic, coat shiny and she even has a cheerful buck. Her attitutude is alot better too, she it not as grumpy and she walks out lovely and freely. Apparently if i up her excercise then i add more oil.
Touch wood (agian) she will not have another occurrence as i am hoping to hunt her at the end of the year but need a good few months of her being well first.

I will keep you all posted.