Neurological Disorders in Horses-not Wobblers

[PercyMum]

Right, had devastating news yesterday that my dream little horse (after going through 5 years of hell with other horses) may in all likelihood have a neurological disorder. It seems so unfair as she made it out of racing sound and she is only 5. But I have to shake off feeling sorry for myself and deal with what's in from of me so...

What could I be dealing with? She tested negative in the Wobblers tests. She is on byte and box rest for the next 5 days just in case it is paid related. She presents as being clumsy and uncoordinated and the back end is wobbly. Has happened very quickly and she has lost vast amounts of muscle in next to no time. The vet is quite rightly being cagey as she is not sure why it could be but has mentioned a type of equine motor neurone disease. Does anyone have any experience of this? I have never met a horse wih a neurological problem so have no idea what is happening and I can't find anything in my books. Internet throws up so much stuff I have no idea where to start.

I am guessing the prognosis isn't good but I'd like to have some more info, if nothing lee to discuss with the vet in more detail without being quite so 'bunny in headlights'.

Thanks in advance

 

[ImmyS]

Neurological diseases can often be caused by a virus - just did some research and it sound like this may be it?

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a disease caused by four types of protozoa that affect the horse's central nervous system. EPM typically causes muscle loss, toe dragging and loss of coordination in the hind limbs. Prompt treatment of EPM with an anti-parasitic, aggressive drug program increases the chance of recovery. With proper treatment, 60 to 70 percent of horses make a significant or complete recovery. A vaccine for EPM is now available under a conditional license from the Department of Agriculture, and studies to determine its effectiveness are underway.

Read more: Neurological Horse Diseases | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5503580_neurological-horse-diseases.html#ixzz1wWX4CHmU

This website also shows other possibilities, hope you find out what's wrong with your baby!

Immy x

 

[sychnant]

My friend's horse has just been diagnosed with EHV 1 and 4 which presented with the same symptoms. I hope you find out what yours has, and it's better news

 

[Shysmum]

so sorry to hear this, my heart goes out to you. xx

 

[PercyMum]

Neurological diseases can often be caused by a virus - just did some research and it sound like this may be it?

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a disease caused by four types of protozoa that affect the horse's central nervous system. EPM typically causes muscle loss, toe dragging and loss of coordination in the hind limbs. Prompt treatment of EPM with an anti-parasitic, aggressive drug program increases the chance of recovery. With proper treatment, 60 to 70 percent of horses make a significant or complete recovery. A vaccine for EPM is now available under a conditional license from the Department of Agriculture, and studies to determine its effectiveness are underway.

Read more: Neurological Horse Diseases | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5503580_neurological-horse-diseases.html#ixzz1wWX4CHmU

This website also shows other possibilities, hope you find out what's wrong with your baby!

Immy x

Thanks very much. I'll mention it to my vet. She is frantically going through all the things it could be. My little mare is perky and happy in herself which is a plus. It's just the back end doesn't seem to be going in exactly the direction she wants it to. I'm keeping everything crossed. If its not better by Weds she is going to Liphook where I hope they can get to the bottom of it. I'm just so shocked at how quickly it's come on.

 

[Marydoll]

My old horse had a stroke last year, more an event than an illness, but neuro just the same, she made a slow but good recovery that ive just posted on another thread in NL.
Go onto comp riders or pm Kerrilli her horse was having some neuro issues and tests done recently, she might have valuable info for you.

 

[AMH]

Neurological diseases can often be caused by a virus - just did some research and it sound like this may be it?

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a disease caused by four types of protozoa that affect the horse's central nervous system. EPM typically causes muscle loss, toe dragging and loss of coordination in the hind limbs. Prompt treatment of EPM with an anti-parasitic, aggressive drug program increases the chance of recovery. With proper treatment, 60 to 70 percent of horses make a significant or complete recovery. A vaccine for EPM is now available under a conditional license from the Department of Agriculture, and studies to determine its effectiveness are underway.

Read more: Neurological Horse Diseases | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5503580_neurological-horse-diseases.html#ixzz1wWX4CHmU

This website also shows other possibilities, hope you find out what's wrong with your baby!

Immy x

Does EPM occur in the UK? I know it does in the US, but didn't realise it was here too...

 

[PercyMum]

My old horse had a stroke last year, more an event than an illness, but neuro just the same, she made a slow but good recovery that ive just posted on another thread in NL.
Go onto comp riders or pm Kerrilli her horse was having some neuro issues and tests done recently, she might have valuable info for you.

Thankyou- that would be very helpful. I'm a bit of an IT biff though- how do I find and PM Kerrilli? Thanks

 

[varkie]

At least at Liphook, she'll be in the best place.

Sadly, despite all their wonderful care, I lost my mare last year to a neurological condition - Polyneuritis Equi - you can find all about it if you google the condition. It matches the symptoms mentioned earlier.

I hope you get a positive outcome from all this.

 

[PercyMum]

It's not good-she seems worse today despite the bute. When she turns around in her box her back end wobbled all over the place. She seems so happy and bright though. She is truly the nicest, sweetest, happiest and most desperate to please horse i have ever met and its not fair. I dont know if i can face doing this again. I can't lose her, not after all the other crap I've been through with the other horses. It's just so bloody unfair.

Sorry, I'm just having a poor me moment but I just don't think this is going to en well for her. Sob

 

[EmmasMummy]

How is she on the front end?

We lost my boy on thursday quite rapidly to a neurological issue. He first had trouble walking on his back end - waddled like wearing a nappy, then he ad trouble walking on his fronts and it got worse over a day and he went down.

The vet said that it was in his neck as it was affecting front legs but not head control.

He said that it was most likely a lesion pressing on the spinal chord.
He displayed the same symptoms as your mare

Can she walk still and freeliy? Have you had her out and tried her in a school loose? This is what showed me that my boy really had problems as he could not trot/control his legs.

 

[PercyMum]

How is she on the front end?

We lost my boy on thursday quite rapidly to a neurological issue. He first had trouble walking on his back end - waddled like wearing a nappy, then he ad trouble walking on his fronts and it got worse over a day and he went down.

The vet said that it was in his neck as it was affecting front legs but not head control.

He said that it was most likely a lesion pressing on the spinal chord.
He displayed the same symptoms as your mare

Can she walk still and freeliy? Have you had her out and tried her in a school loose? This is what showed me that my boy really had problems as he could not trot/control his legs.

Poor you- I'm so sorry for your loss. She isn't waddling, more just wobbly. Walk is fine, trot isn't great. Am crapping myself that she will go downhill really rapidly.

 

[all about Romeo]

Have you tried her on any antibiotics?

 

[Marydoll]

Thankyou- that would be very helpful. I'm a bit of an IT biff though- how do I find and PM Kerrilli? Thanks

Hi there
Click onto community, then members list, click on K and you should find her there, or go into comp riders and find a post from hrr, click on her name and itll give you choices, one being pm.
Hope this helps.