Neck injury-gutted!

pistolpete

pistolpete

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Poor horse, looong story short. He had an ataxic episode in 2012 which after bone scans xrays and oral steroids culminated in a diagnosis of suspected neck injury. Eight months off work and a transition to barefoot due to navicular changes as well and he was back working well. It seems the neck problem may be back, he is ataxic again with tense sore neck. Physio been out once vet contemplating oral steroids again or possibly injections this time physio due back today. Anyone got anything else to throw into the mix? This sweet little horse has no luck! Only want to happy hack and odd lesson. Was coping fine up until October this year.
 
Could it be toxins? There are edible things (or not-so-edible things!) that can cause ataxia and I know that when I eat way too much of the wrong stuff my neck and shoulders get rock solid. I'd try a detox for him. I usually use Global Herbs Restore but there are others on the market too. It could be something seasonal that is affecting him. I think part of the Sycamore Atypical Myopathy (or whatever it is!) can include ataxia because it made me think that maybe that's what affected my boy.
 
Do you know the nature of the neck injury? If it resulted in misalignment it might be worth trying a chiropractor or osteopath.
 
I had his physio out today. Assessment of situation two years ago was dossible fragments at poll and mild compromised area at c6-c7. Nothing really you could see on x-ray to get excited about. Nothing on scintigraphy. I have ordered some more Restore, and physio out again on the 18th.
 
pistolpete said:
Poor horse, looong story short. He had an ataxic episode in 2012 which after bone scans xrays and oral steroids culminated in a diagnosis of suspected neck injury. ! .
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My previous horse had a neck injury which caused calcification to build in the neck bones which caused ataxia. I am sorry to say he went on to be pts with wobblers/CVM but this may not be the case with your boy.

I wonder if Finadyne will stabilise it until you can get to an equine hospital for xrays to determine the extent of the injury? That's what we had to do with my horse as he was very ataxic. What you do need is extensive xrays from a strong machine and not a portable xray machine why the vet brought out and gave a false reading. Sadly his diagnosis got delayed by incompetent vets who mis diagnosed him and I often wonder if early intervention could have helped and he may have been saved.

My horse had a gap of 17mm in his spinal column to allow the cord and nerves to pass through, normal horses have a gap of 51mm so you can see how the calcification that was formed following the damage to his neck (when he reared and went over backwards) caused the problems that resulted in the ataxia and his ultimate death. He has C3, C4 and C6 with C6 being the worse culprit as this is often very hard to treat. Sorry if this is not what you want to hear. He was not considered a candidate for surgery as he was to badly affected.

Do keep us posted as to your horses progress and try to press for those xrays if you can so you can get a proper diagnosis. I hate to say it but the damage has already taken place and a supplement will make little difference in the long term and is a bit like pi**ing in the wind.

Take care x
 
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Thanks all. The weird thing with this horse is that he has had it before and recovered such an unusual problem vet is baffled! Liver figures are back in normal range going to use prescribed steroids as anti inflammatories and keep going with the Physio. Fingers crossed.
 
Well been on the steroids ten days now and no improvement as yet. Last time though it took three months for things to improve. Horses are such a pain!
 
Did the vet put him on Finadyne? Maybe neck stretches would be useful but I would be guided on vets advice. I am worried that my current horse will go the way of my previous horse as my physio thinks he has arthritis in his neck. His neck clicks and klonks really bad somedays but i do his stretches every day and ride him stretching and bending his neck as much as I can.

Fingers crossed for your boy. x
 
Thank you AC. He has full range of movement in his neck its just the disconnection with his hind legs that is main symptom. He is still on 100 prednisolone tablets a day 500kg horse. He is bright and happy and seems to have no pain.
 
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