Neurological Problem or Sacroiliac Injury?

[Samantha008]

My vet and i are at a loss trying to diagnose my horse. Shes going to specialist next week for their verdict but i wondered if anyone on here might know of a sign/symptom to lead us in either direction. Ive had her 3 months and its been a complete disaster. 3 weeks into having her she went lame in her back near leg. Conformation-wise shes very weak at the back and much stronger at the front with very very large hooves. Shes a 6yr old tbxID. Anyway, the vet is called out and she is diagnosed with a sacroiliac injury, due to having a pelvis that is misaligned and being very sore on the near side, the side that shows muscle wastage and is slightly lower. The first sign i noticed, baring in mind that id only had this horse 3 weeks, was that she couldnt canter on the rein needed to use her left side. She constantly went onto the wrong leg and in trot she kept trying to canter (and shes young but not the bombing off type at all)

She did look sound without a rider. Three weeks box/field rest later and i long rein a week and then ride her. No improvement, but now she seems to be unco-ordinated. My instructor described it as having this lovely long pace but not knnowing what to do with it. On minute shes over reaching and then shes falling in on her shoulder on a circle. I didnt see as i was riding so cant really describe more than that. In trot she felt like she was skipping to correct herself when she felt something wasnt moving quick enough. If that makes sense. So after the vet has seen this, he suggests some quick neuro tests and backs her up, complete disaster it was. She shuffled with her bum and dragged her front right hand leg and then just planted herslef and would not move even with two full grown men pushing her. Next were the circles, which she seemed to do ok, she didnt wobble or stumble but her legs were a bit all over the place. With the tail pull she was fine, correcting herself in one step and then with the placement tests she put her leg back straight away.The vet then suggested a cortisone injection into the sacroiliac to seeif theres any improvement. My vet however is not an expert in this and has said to me he has his suspicians but would like someone more specialist to have a look at her. Today in the field i saw her drag her hind toes with every step. Both about the same amount.

She did stumble alot before i had her, but no more than, i thought at the time, a normal clumsy horse with feet the size of dinner plates. About 3 times on an hours hack. She passed a 5 stage vetting 3 weeks before she went lame and has since the vet last came out, backed up absolutley fine. But i know with neuro stuff it can be different each day.

Anyway, if anybody sees something that they think leads to one more than the other i would be very greatful or for any kind of response that might help with this nightmare.

Thanks!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I'm no expert hun but the symptoms - particularly the backing up difficulties in such a young horse - do suggest wobblers to me. Did the vet mention the possibility? That would come under the heading of neurological problem caused by some damage to the spinal column which then prevents the signals passing properly from the brain to the hind limbs and back again. Not sure it's a brilliant prognosis. Fingers crossed that it's just something daft she's done to herself. Was she sound when you rode her before you bought her and what was the result of your pre-purchase vetting?

 

[Samantha008]

completely sound when i first bought her and passed the vetting with flying colours, the only comments being her less than great conformation and her slightly knocked down pelvis but it didnt seem to hinder her at all a bit of work however and she went lame. I believe shed just been kept out in a field for months. The vet has mentioned wobblers yeah. Thats what the tets are for next week. In all honesty i just wish someone would mention just one thing that pointed away from that disease cos ive never known of a horse not pts with the condition

my poor baby (((

 

[Cathy487]

Hi, really feel for you as I'm going through a similar experience. My horse was just checked out by a Neurological vet. Comment she made to me is that neurological problems are not consistent, they tend to be erratic in nature. From what you are describing to me, seems to suggest shes in some kind of pain. If shes in pain she can also have problems to back up and drag toes. Have you had her nerve blocked or tried antinflammatories? I would want a better diagnosis before injecting cortizone.

My horse drags her hind legs also and cannot flex her hocks. They don't think she has neurological issue after the tests but find the true cause is still difficult.

Do you have her fully insured - if so, get her to the clinic for full tests. I'm hesitating on that if I have to right her off anyway.

Good luck.

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Just been through something very similar with Little Cob, but he is seven and we've had him for four years.

Sent him to Sue Dyson at the AHT last month. He was there for a week.

General gist is: sacroilliac joint issue - take-up on right plate; and something neurological, but can't pinpoint what (not Wobblers though).

Had a three day Bute trial (very high doses). Improved the forward movement, but increased the toe drag

He has since been seen flybucking round the field, but is now turned away to see if time will help heal whatever 'it' is.

 

[Flashann]

A friend of mine had a horse that developed Wobbler`s Syndrome. He became progressively more un coordinated in his hind quarters, and his tail was rather flaccid. Reluctance to back up can definitely be a sign of neurological problems. Hope thats not the case for you. Don`t give up though, you can always get a chiropractor to look at her if the vets don`t come up with anything.

 

[Charlie_Boy]

Hi,
sorry to hear about your problem. I have had a horse which was recently put down with severe wobblers. If it's wobblers I think your vet would have picked up on it, as ours would stumble in walk and trot and if you pulled his tail he would fall over! He may have been advanced but it was obvious he had wobblers as his gait was completely wrong! I also have a large ID X TB who suffers with a weak pelvis and he is very prone to dropping and rotating his pelvis and injures his lumbar region! He becomes very painful and also has stringhalt and can find it difficult to back up when he hurts himself! I dont know if you've tried an equine physio? Mine sees one every 3 months and he is fine! Maybe a physio could give you a better idea! Good Luck!