Pony toppling over possible neurological disease??

[safrow46]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone out there has had experience with the following. I have an 11.2 welsh sec A mare who is 16 yrs old. I have owned her for almost 3 yrs and she has taught my daughter everything, done all pony club activities and been a pleasure to own. recently she has had laminitis and has been diagnosed with cushings disease. This is not the problem however. She has episodes which are rare and quite spaced apart over weeks where she, or no apparent reason, seems to lose her balance, teeter on her feet, pants heavily and looks distressed until she eventually loses control of her back end, collapses back end first and does a violent flip over backwards. She will then get up and look dazed and confused for a few moments before returning to normal.
My vet has not seen her do it and she has done it 4 times (of what I have seen). My vet simply said 'it is epilepsy' without seeing her collapse or doing any kind of tests. I am not at all convinced it is epilepsy as the symptoms of it are not at all what she displays. I believe it is possibly a neurological disease. She did it this morning in her stable. I went in as usual, said hello to her and began to put her headcollar on to turn her out when she then had an episode.
Please no smart comments, I just wondered if anyone else out there has been in a similar situation. Thanks

 

[leflynn]

One of my old horses had odd episodes one day and our vet tested for liver function as this can cause epilepsy type symptoms so it might be worth getting that checked if you haven't already?

In the end it was a one off and unknown but poss ataxia from rolling in nettles? I'd also ask about getting checked for wobblers too, is there anything that might be a trigger or anything that has changed around the time it started?

 

[Queenbee]

Epilepsy comes in many forms, symptoms vary dependent on where in the brain the fit is occurring, for example my cousin has fits which just leave her vacant, no loss of control, you wouldn't know she was having a fit unless you know her, she just stares and doesn't respond to conversation. Then there are the GM type where a person drops, seizes, body goes ridged etc, mine, look like a stroke... There are as I've said, many different types. I would not discount epilepsy with your mare and infact, epilepsy in itself is a neurological condition. I would possible want further investigation, you never know it could be epileptic seizures brought on by a growth, or it could be something completely different. If it were me, I'd want a referral, but perhaps, considering the age and condition would discuss at the referral whether it were prudent to dig too deep looking for answers that could cost a lot of money when the horse is otherwise ok, it would all depend to me on the frequency and the severity of the fits and the discussion with a specialist.

 

[Goldenstar]

Do you see the horse lying down ?

 

[neddynesbitt]

My friends Welsh D has had exactly this happen too he has been diagnosed with Cushings and her vet also said It is epilepsy which could be triggered by the cushings until it is under control. maybe it's similar to your mare?

 

[fatpiggy]

I'm afraid the OP has very well described the classic seizure seen in horses. They VERY rarely fall down on the floor as we see humans or dogs etc. That is partly why it is so dangerous as the seizure is only partial and the animal remains conscious and therefore mobile. OP, you have also got the full house of predisposers for seizures - over 11, a mare and oh dear, Welsh. Do feel free to PM me, I have nearly 18 years experience of managing an epileptic horse.