has she got narcolepsy??

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djshelli

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12 November 2006
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Hi everyone!
I recently brought a horse who falls asleep and goes to fall when at rest. Her eyes shut and head lowers slowly to the ground and either her back or front legs buckle and she suddenly wakes up and is fine again??? Its always at rest either dosing in the field or being groomed and once tacked up?? Any ideas? I worked with a horse with narcolepsy and it seems to be the same symptoms! thanks for any info xxx
 
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Sparklet

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28 September 2005
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My old horse had narcolepsy and she would actually collapse when she dozed off - there were no problems riding her because she was active but it was unwise to sit and have a chat to a friend when mounted in case she collapsed.

The main problem was the injuries she would cause herself when she fell - she nearly fractured her jaw when she fell while in her stable - her head was out the door and she gave it a huge bash in the way down leading to treatment as an inpatient at horsey hospital. She also damaged her knees, hocks and frequently had puncture wounds on her elbows because that bit hit the backs of her shoes. I used to bandage her legs and put neoprene overreach boots on her feet to stop the damage.

She was 14 when it all started and it co-incidently followed a general anesthetic for teeth extraction - a horse belonging to a friend of mine had a similar prolem following a GA for colic (caused by a hernia) following a road accident. She was hit by a car and she always put the narcolpesy down to brain damage from the accident but it is odd that my horse had the same condition.

Your horse doesnt seem so bad because she seems to save herself before total collapse but it does get worse over time so you do need to monitor her to see if she is getting injured.

There is no cure or treatment and I suspect with my old girl one day she will fall badly and the damage will be irrepairable. Sorry to sound so bleak but perhaps others will have better stories with happier outcomes.
 
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