Narcolespsy

[Plowris]

Hi

I am having a problem with my home bred mare who is now seven. She has had a well horse check with blood tests and nothing has been found abnormal.

It first happened early this year five minutes into a ride, i dismounted thinking she was having a heart attack and then she recovered to carry on a gently hour ride. This happened again but the second time nearly at home again she fully recovered and i led her home. Months later after becoming dull i bought her in to feed her and she did it after her feed. This happed three times and checks were done but nothing found.

This Saturday after a fairly fast ride i haltered her on the yard and her head went down, eyes closed andshe started to wobble i jumped off and led her in hand and she had a really wobbly gait and then minutes later fully recovered.

I am now keeping a diary of events and the vet is going to be called immediately after another attack to do blook checks for tying up etc and failing and results she is going to new market.

 

[Dougie]

to test for narcolepsy, your vet(or new market), could give her a jag of phyto-stigmine(sp). it is a drug which induces collapse in narcoleptics but doesnt affect normal horses.

 

[annie02]

I would lean away from narcolespy and more towards maybe a heart or blood pressure condition? Its odd for her to wobble so much while you are walking her and getting her attention. It sounds to me more like she is having problems mataining a full level of control not consciousness.

Is there a pattern in weather the day of or day before? What about feed, or activity changes near the time of the episodes?

 

[Plowris]

Hi

The first time it happened was early spring, five minutes into the ride and i had only been walking, thought it may have been spasms in her back (or some heart problem). The back specialist came and nothing reallywas wrong. The second time about a month later, was five minutes to home and id just walked down a steep hill.

I bought a new saddle as i was convinced it may have been her saddle as she had changed shape (think i was a little in denial).

She then threw a splint so was rested and after three months went really poor (beginning of October) and i thought she may be anaemic. Brought her in for feeds, just one scoop cool mix and chaff. Three times in a row she had these wobbly attacks. Thought it may be spasmodic collic as she did appear to be in pain, tucked up and muzzle tight, but came through them ok.

Vet then did blood checks, heart rate, worm count and found nothing.

I am actually shying away from narcolespsy as she does appear to be in pain when they happen. Im thinking more tying up, equine protozoal myeloencephalities or epsm.

Watch this space as when happens again im calling out the vet to do bloods etc after an attack.

The weather has been different everytime and her feed not changed.

 

[annie02]

What about seizers? Especailly if you are thinking some kind of spasm or tying up?
I think its a good idea to have the vet out right after it happens, blood will be different right after it happens. Maybe have a video handy, if you could catch it on tape and then show the vet that might help.

Best of luck.

 

[Plowris]

Hi

Yes im going to call the vet out straight away when it happens again and get her blood tested etc.

Im also going to add salt to her feed.

Watch this space.

Thank you

 

[Plowris]

Went down to see her on Thursday this week and she looked really dull, I offered her a carrot and she had her head down and after the carrot she then staggered as if she had lost her balance, I called the vet out straight away and luckily he was five minutes away and came down to the field and saw her looking dull . As soon as she was in her stable she looked fine, he took her temperature and checked her heart and has taken blood samples. I am now waiting for the results. If they all come back fine she is off to New Market. Its the not knowing that is awful.

 

[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.