Horse is fitting after head injury- what are my chances?

[High Hope]

Tuesday evening my pride and joy hit her head off concrete in her stable. Seemed quiet and concussed, but ok.

Last night she was getting up and down a lot, colicky symptoms, but me and vet thought was likely pain related. She had an intravenous pain killer, which helped a lot.

This afternoon I get down, she is fitting. Constantly.

At one point she fitted 4 times in half an hour.

Vet came out twice- initially to give her diaretics and pain relief, the second time to give her diazepam.

Diazepam is apparently my final option.

After initially lurching like a drunk, the diazepam has had little effect- she's
been lying down continuously fitting

At this point, there is nothing else I can do but wait.

It's active for 6-8 hours, so I guess I'll know in the morning whether I still have a horse, or will be forced to call it a day

Has anyone encountered similar? I'm finding it impossible to think anything but the worst right now.

It's been an incredibly awful day.

 

[spookypony]

I have no idea, but just wanted to send along some <<<vibes>>> that she recovers.

 

[ycbm]

All your vet whether Tegretol/carbemazepine which is not licensed for use in horses but is prescribed for horses which fit (and humans with epilepsy) would help stabilise her until you see whether she recovers. Best wishes, it must be a horrible worry for you.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I am so sorry to heaar this, the waiting must be dreadful.
My dog (Labrador bitch about 8 yrs old) once spent the weekend at the vets on diazepam because she was fitting constantly, for no apparent reason. Eventually she recovered, never did it again and was diagnosed with 'a virus' in the absence of anything else being discovered.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Vibes>>>>>>>>>>>>> that you mare recovers

 

[nikicb]

Oh goodness, I have absolutely no practical advice to give, but couldn't leave this post without offering love and support. I really hope that she comes right.

All your vet whether Tegretol/carbemazepine which is not licensed for use in horses but is prescribed for horses which fit (and humans with epilepsy) would help stabilise her until you see whether she recovers. Best wishes, it must be a horrible worry for you.

My sister takes both these and they manage, along with other drugs, her epilepsy. No idea whether they work for horses. xx

 

[twiggy2]

have hug, must be a terrible thing to go through

 

[BlackVelvet]

I'm so sorry to hear about your horse
No experience of horses fitting but i did have a lab who had regular fits so i know how heartbreaking it is. Best wishes x

 

[Puzzled]

Your vet sounds very knowledgeable but is it worth contacting one of the specialist equine hospitals? We sent a pony to one when it had an illness that was believed to be linked to a brain condition and our vet (one of the Olympic ones) was struggling for a solution/diagnosis. Sending lots of vibes she makes a full recovery.

 

[spookypony]

I came across this link; don't suppose it's any help, but might give you ideas about questions to ask the vet?

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/20720/traumatic-brain-injury-in-horses

 

[Evie91]

How awful. Nothing useful to add. Hope your horse recovers.

 

[Clare85]

How frightening for you, I'm so sorry. I really hope your girl recovers. Sending hugs and vibes xxx

 

[FfionWinnie]

Hoping very much that she recovers.

 

[High Hope]

Thank you guys.
I'm feeling totally lost.
Thank you for the article spooky pony- fortunately (or unfortunately) my vets have covered all those bases. I've had 3 out to her so far, so far I'm very impressed with all of them.
Will ask them about that drug when they come out tomorrow morning- last glimmer of hope, and all that

I have no idea what I would do without her :'(

 

[Fiona]

I'm so sorry...

Vibes and prayers that she turns a corner overnight x x x

Fiona

 

[jaffa2311]

What a horrid freak accident. What happened? Which part of the head was hit?

Hopefully it is just mild contusions and not a major haemorrhage. Mild contusions can cause awful symptoms but do heal. The problem is if the brain tries to swell.

 

[Frenchmade]

So sorry to hear of your distress and your horse's too. I do hope there is improvement. My heart goes out to you.

 

[Fun Times]

No experience of this but really hoping your mare pulls through alright.

 

[Haphazardhacker]

Got everything crossed for you, sending positive vibes, cannot imagine what you are going through xx

 

[Feival]

Is anyone able to watch her overnight? I really hope she improves and recovers.

 

[crabbymare]

nothing positive sadly but you really do need to make sure that she is monitored all night and that you have the direct number of the vet on call in case she gets worse and you needed him there quickly. everything crossed here that the drug does manage to quieten her and she pulls through it for you

 

[npage123]

I'm so very sorry to hear about this. I hope you have someone with you during the night for moral support.

 

[maree t]

I hope to hear good news in the morning .
Sorry no helpful advice only ever had to deal with mild concussion

 

[VikingSong]

That's terrible. I don't have any advice to offer, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you both. xx

 

[ozpoz]

I'd ask the vet to give her enough diazepam to stop the seizure,even if there is a risk in this. And monitor her.
If it is a post traumatic seizure she may recover and it could be a one off.

Fingers crossed for you- so very worrying. x

 

[RubysGold]

keeping everything crossed for you this morning. Sounds horrible. I do hope the drugs stopped the seizures

 

[PorkChop]

So so sorry for you both, what a horrible situation to be in - I hope the seizures have stopped and everything is looking more positive this morning xx

 

[Remi'sMum]

Thoughts are with you. Truly hoping for a positive update today.

 

[vmac66]

Really hope she is better this morning. Here's to a positive outcome .

 

[Micropony]

Nothing of any use or value to share except to say I am thinking of your mare and have everything crossed for her x

 

[Princess16]

What an awful situation to be in I'm so sorry. Really hoping for some better news today.