Neurological issues in the Shoulder (Horses)

[Javabb94]

Went up to the field on Wednesday morning to fInd my 6 yr old Shetland hardly being able to walk on his right front leg.
We thought it may be laminitis
as he had the same 'walk' and symptoms as my welsh who had Laminitis last year.

Called vet immediately and she said it could be neurological problems in his shoulder. I wasn't there as was at school, but got told if it doesn't get better in the next few days on bute and box rest it, if it is neurological it may gradually get worse and he would be in pain.

Not the outcome I expected - he was a total healthy field companion who we rescued as a foal and he is not ridden and was hoping he would stay with us for years and years to come..

Just wondering about other people's experiences with this (just in case it is that) as I know little about neurological issues!

Thanks

 

[be positive]

Has the vet said that it is not laminitis, that does seem more likely but hopefully he will be better today.
The condition he could mean is commonly known as Sweeney, nerve damage causing muscle wastage in the shoulder, this is treatable, I have had a horse with it and he was completely sound but had less muscle in one shoulder.
Your vet may be thinking of something else but have a look at this for some info, at let us know how he is.
www.arthurveterinaryclinic.blogsot.com/2009/10/sweeney-in-horses.html
I could not get the links to work so Google sweeney in horses and several articles will come up.It may work now.

 

[Javabb94]

Thanks for that appreciate it,

Its definitely not laminitis, vet said, no pulse in any hooves and hooves not hot at all,

She said it would be unlikely to be a knock or kick as bs would have to have a pretty hard hit to be that lame and there is no swelling

He is slightly better although this could just be
because of the bute,

Thanks for the link,

I'm hoping it is treatable however not much I or a vet can do if it's untreatable...

Thanks

 

[Archina]

Dont want to point out the obvious but could your shettie have an abcess?

 

[kerilli]

as above, check the foot first obv.
is he turned out with anything his sort of size that he plays with?
i had a big youngster who was suddenly on 3 legs in field, could not / would not weight bear on front leg at all. it turned out, after days of worrying myself sick while he was at the vet's (i thought he'd broken his shoulder tbh, his leg was swinging and useless, i thought he'd be a shooter) that he'd done the splits over his brother (both 17h+ and played hard together) and damaged the nerves under his shoulder, apparently. he made a full recovery.
hope your boy does too.

 

[Javabb94]

Thanks kerilli,

He is turned out with a 23year old 12.1hh welsh mountain who he has been with since I got him so best part of 6 years. Charlie (the welsh) can kick although only horses bigger than him he takes offence to! Anything smaller than him he is fine.

I didn't think of an access either something to bear in mind if it doesn't get better in the next 24hours

He does trip a lot, which made me think it was neurological ie he can't coordinate himself properly and the last time he had the farrier he kept sitting down when the farrier lifted his leg like he couldn't stand on 3 legs and he is normally pretty good.

Thanks for the replies,
They are really helpful,
Thankyou