facial paralysis caused by thickened stylohyoid bone

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linperrie

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Its a long shot but has anyone else had dealings with this condition? My horse looked off colour 1.5 weeks ago and then her face became paralysed on the left side. Obviously everything moved quick and the diagnosis of a thickened stylohyoid bone was confirmed. Since then she had surgery for the removal of a connecting bone to stop the thickened bone fracturing and inflaming causing the nerve damage. All seemed to go well however my girlies face hasn't improved yet so she is still in leahurst. They do think she will make a near full recovery in time, but its hard not to see any improvement yet. Although its only 6 days since surgery still. I know its not a common condition but if anyone has been thru this and give some insight into the rest of the healing process I'd be very grateful.
 
Sorry to hear this :-(

I don't have any experience of this particular condition, but my TB had gutteral pouch mycosis in March this year, and the fungal plaque can also cause damage to the facial nerves. His lower eyelid is slightly droopy (in terms of he can't hold it fully open so the eye looks partially closed) on one side now, there has been a slight improvement but there is still a way to go if you look at him from front on and compare to the other eye. The nerves have to re-grow and repair and that can take a long time - it's been 4 months for us so 6 day's I'd imagine is far too early to show any real improvement. My vets feel my boy will eventually regain full control of his eyelid, but we don't know how long it might take.
 
I think you need to give it time. Nerves are easily damaged and very slow to recover (ask my ankle which got a direct hit in a hockey match 30+ years ago and still has a numb patch!). My horse managed to wack herself on the empty saltlick holder in a new stable which left her with a very droopy eyelid. My vet advised me to massage it as much as possible and after about 12 months it was 99% back to normal, although she did continue to wink at me if she was tired :)
 
Thanks for the replies. I suppose my biggest worry is that her left eye won't close at the moment so she has drops in it every 4 hours which is fine whilst in hosp but god knows what will happen when I get her home. I wonder how long it will take to close on its own so she doesn't need drops etc? I am sure she will get there! ;-)
 
Ah small world. She moved stables soon after and is doing ok. Hopefully coming home tomo. I don't think I saw your girl - is she ok now?
 
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