Sick with worry neurological issues

[shortstuff99]

While I do have experience with a horse with a brain tumour/lesion and neurology issues, I won't tell the story here and it was an elderly horse (27+). Your horse is young and is responding well to the steroids so I would carry on with treatment and see how it goes. I have everything crossed for you!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Laura, one of mine showed similar symptoms when she ate a toxic creeper.

There was nothing that we could do for her but keep her hydrated, as comfortable as possible and wait it out.

She did recover but lost a lot of muscle and weight from days of being down.

One of the pieces of advice we had at the time was that they are in danger of getting cast if they go down. We kept old sheets on hand to help her up from underneath when she struggled in the stable, and at her worst, to turn her to avoid pressure sores.

I am very sorry that you are going through this. It is so scary to see such big, strong animals so helpless. I hope he bounces back soon.

 

[Laurac13]

While I do have experience with a horse with a brain tumour/lesion and neurology issues, I won't tell the story here and it was an elderly horse (27+). Your horse is young and is responding well to the steroids so I would carry on with treatment and see how it goes. I have everything crossed for you!

Thank you x

 

[Pedantic]

Can only wish for the best outcome for both of you, its always so upsetting when our much loved animal is poorly

 

[Laurac13]

Laura, one of mine showed similar symptoms when she ate a toxic creeper.

There was nothing that we could do for her but keep her hydrated, as comfortable as possible and wait it out.

She did recover but lost a lot of muscle and weight from days of being down.

One of the pieces of advice we had at the time was that they are in danger of getting cast if they go down. We kept old sheets on hand to help her up from underneath when she struggled in the stable, and at her worst, to turn her to avoid pressure sores.

I am very sorry that you are going through this. It is so scary to see such big, strong animals so helpless. I hope he bounces back soon.

Thank you my vet recommended Merlin stay out as be would be At risk of getting cast in his stable x

 

[Laurac13]

Can only wish for the best outcome for both of you, its always so upsetting when our much loved animal is poorly

Appreciated thank you x

 

[misst]

I ave no experience and no knowledge but I am so sorry. I especially feel for you when you say he is your last horse - I do get this - it makes them more special and harder to imagine being without. I can only send wishes and vibes for a recovery for him and some peace of mind for yourself. It is obvious how much you care x

 

[Laurac13]

I ave no experience and no knowledge but I am so sorry. I especially feel for you when you say he is your last horse - I do get this - it makes them more special and harder to imagine being without. I can only send wishes and vibes for a recovery for him and some peace of mind for yourself. It is obvious how much you care x

Thank you xx

 

[Esmae]

I had one with a brain lesion many years ago. Despite everything we had no option in the end but to pts. He was only 12. Science has come on a lot since then so hopefully your boy will recover. It is the most ghastly thing to happen. Wishing you all the best.

 

[scotlass]

I too have had experience of a horse with intermittent vacant seizures. Due to their infrequency, they were difficult to predict or diagnose despite extensive investigations. The horse actually lived to a reasonable age (late teens) with the help of a very attentive companion pony.

I would agree with the others about the continuation of steroids. I would definitely keep outside and please, if you handle the horse, please make sure you wear a fastened hard hat just in case.

I hope you get a definitive diagnosis and the horse makes a positive recovery.

 

[[131452]]

I had a wobbler and he was PTS for his own and everyone else's safety. He was 5.
Has the vet x-rayed the neck? This should be done with neurological issues as it will show if there is any impingement of the spinal cord and if so, which part of the vertebrae is the issue. If the compression is in the facet joints then this can respond to steroids and there may be a more positive outlook. If it is in the vertebral body this isn't good. This is what mine had.
So I think a neck x-ray would be a sensible next step and your vet should be able to do it at your yard.

 

[HobleytheTB]

I'm so sorry you're going through this and I really hope he starts to pick up. Would something like Sycamore poisoning be a possibility? Or another type of toxin picked up in the field?

 

[Laurac13]

I had one with a brain lesion many years ago. Despite everything we had no option in the end but to pts. He was only 12. Science has come on a lot since then so hopefully your boy will recover. It is the most ghastly thing to happen. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you Esmae and I am very sorry to hear about your horse so sad he was only 12 ?too x

 

[Laurac13]

I too have had experience of a horse with intermittent vacant seizures. Due to their infrequency, they were difficult to predict or diagnose despite extensive investigations. The horse actually lived to a reasonable age (late teens) with the help of a very attentive companion pony.

I would agree with the others about the continuation of steroids. I would definitely keep outside and please, if you handle the horse, please make sure you wear a fastened hard hat just in case.

I hope you get a definitive diagnosis and the horse makes a positive recovery.

Thank you Scotlass for your input and lovely to hear your horse had a good life despite intermittent episodes ? that gives me some hope x

 

[Laurac13]

I had a wobbler and he was PTS for his own and everyone else's safety. He was 5.
Has the vet x-rayed the neck? This should be done with neurological issues as it will show if there is any impingement of the spinal cord and if so, which part of the vertebrae is the issue. If the compression is in the facet joints then this can respond to steroids and there may be a more positive outlook. If it is in the vertebral body this isn't good. This is what mine had.
So I think a neck x-ray would be a sensible next step and your vet should be able to do it at your yard.

Hi SS sorry to hear about your young horse ? I gave my vet the go ahead to X-ray his neck on her second visit but she called me back to say she wasn’t allowed to X-ray offsite due to Covid restrictions if he improves maybe I could take him into the practice a few days ago it wouldn’t have been safe to travel him. He is a Superstar in everything apart from loading and travelling we don’t go anywhere just hack and some schooling in the arena. I’ll see if I can twist the practice partners arm on this x

 

[Red-1]

My lovely Jay became a wobbler. The x rays of his neck weren't catastrophic, but he was losing control of his legs. It too was after a slight suspensory injury, that was really mild, but I think the time off did for him.

He had some strong oral steroids, it was a bit kill or cure, I was warned re lami, but there was no option TBH, as he couldn't go on as he was.

I think he had 2 courses, along with an anti-inflammatory.

He made a reasonable recovery, not back to real work, but we had a summer of hacking before he got a bit worse again. He had a further 6 months or so retired altogether, before a stiff breeze was knocking him off balance so he was PTS.

 

[Laurac13]

I'm so sorry you're going through this and I really hope he starts to pick up. Would something like Sycamore poisoning be a possibility? Or another type of toxin picked up in the field?

Hi hobley
Thanks for replying he has been at the same yard for a long time there are no trees near his paddock It backs onto wheat fiends it’s a small private yard on a farm just me with Merlin and his companion An elderly spritely Shetland who has a small fenced off area as he has Cushings, A TB in the next paddock and the yard owners 2 in the end paddock. The only think I thought of was that I introduced some graze-on to his Alfa a molasses free a few days before he got sick but he’s been on it since and I’ve given my pony a small handful and he’s been fine. He also gets ad-lib hay as there’s not huge amounts of grass. He also was worm count tested by west gates about 6 weeks ago no eggs seen X

 

[Laurac13]

My lovely Jay became a wobbler. The x rays of his neck weren't catastrophic, but he was losing control of his legs. It too was after a slight suspensory injury, that was really mild, but I think the time off did for him.

He had some strong oral steroids, it was a bit kill or cure, I was warned re lami, but there was no option TBH, as he couldn't go on as he was.

I think he had 2 courses, along with an anti-inflammatory.

He made a reasonable recovery, not back to real work, but we had a summer of hacking before he got a bit worse again. He had a further 6 months or so retired altogether, before a stiff breeze was knocking him off balance so he was PTS.

 

[Laurac13]

Hi Red1
Thank you for sharing your experience of wobblers I appreciate it. I am sorry you lost your Jay ? he was lucky to have you as an owner and you did your best for him x

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I have nothing useful to add but sending positive vibes your way. It's awful when they are unwell, you feel so helpless ?
Huge hugs xxxx

 

[[131452]]

Hi SS sorry to hear about your young horse ? I gave my vet the go ahead to X-ray his neck on her second visit but she called me back to say she wasn’t allowed to X-ray offsite due to Covid restrictions if he improves maybe I could take him into the practice a few days ago it wouldn’t have been safe to travel him. He is a Superstar in everything apart from loading and travelling we don’t go anywhere just hack and some schooling in the arena. I’ll see if I can twist the practice partners arm on this x

Definitely get the neck x-rayed ,it will provide a diagnosis or rule it out.
It is devastating to watch a horse in that state so I do feel for you.

All I would suggest on top is that you keep his current welfare in mind, he doesnt know or worry about the future, he lives in the moment..Sometimes PTS is the kindest thing. I found it hard to euthanize a 5 year old but it really was the kindest thing.

 

[Laurac13]

I have nothing useful to add but sending positive vibes your way. It's awful when they are unwell, you feel so helpless ?
Huge hugs xxxx

Thank you SLH xx

 

[Laurac13]

Definitely get the neck x-rayed ,it will provide a diagnosis or rule it out.
It is devastating to watch a horse in that state so I do feel for you.

All I would suggest on top is that you keep his current welfare in mind, he doesnt know or worry about the future, he lives in the moment..Sometimes PTS is the kindest thing. I found it hard to euthanize a 5 year old but it really was the kindest thing.

Thank you SS il will push the vet for the neck X-ray they are due back later this coming week or before if he goes downhill but I have everything crossed he won’t
I already had a chat to my vet about end of life care when she told me that she and the senior partner thought he only had days to live last Friday I told her I wouldn’t let him suffer and I would never forgive myself if he had an accident in the field due to the problems he has, I will ensure I do right by him if I need to.
Thanks for reminding me horses live in the moment I do forget that and I think he is wondering what’s going on with me blubbering all over him, Last Saturday I was just thinking that I’d really miss his whinnies so what did he do? He wandered over to me when I was poo picking and did the loudest whinny in my ear ?whatever happens I’ll always remember he did that X

 

[Red-1]

Thanks for reminding me horses live in the moment I do forget that and I think he is wondering what’s going on with me blubbering all over him, Last Saturday I was just thinking that I’d really miss his whinnies so what did he do? He wandered over to me when I was poo picking and did the loudest whinny in my ear ?whatever happens I’ll always remember he did that X

I know it sounds strange, but over the years I have had a couple PTS and in each case I am convinced they knew and were at peace with the situation.

Charlie-Horse did a full tour of the yard the day before he went. It was very strange and very contemplative. He visited all of the stables, looked through all of the windows, demanded to see the fields etc. He was totally at peace.

I do think that PTS is the final gift you can give a sick horse, and subscribe to the thought that it is better a week too early than a day too late.

 

[TheMule]

Hi SS sorry to hear about your young horse ? I gave my vet the go ahead to X-ray his neck on her second visit but she called me back to say she wasn’t allowed to X-ray offsite due to Covid restrictions if he improves maybe I could take him into the practice a few days ago it wouldn’t have been safe to travel him. He is a Superstar in everything apart from loading and travelling we don’t go anywhere just hack and some schooling in the arena. I’ll see if I can twist the practice partners arm on this x

I think that is appalling and I would be seeking a new vet ASAP. It is quite clearly an emergency and the x-rays are needed for horse welfare therefore it is totally recommended by the BEVA guidelines. To suggest you should travel him in that condition ?

 

[Michen]

I think that is appalling and I would be seeking a new vet ASAP. It is quite clearly an emergency and the x-rays are needed for horse welfare therefore it is totally recommended by the BEVA guidelines. To suggest you should travel him in that condition ?

Have to say I think I’d find a vet who would x ray too. Most vets are back to normal now. That said, would the treatment be much different anyway..?

 

[w1bbler]

Do you have ticks around, some of the symptoms vaguely fit louping ill, for which steroids & vit e are the treatment?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Charlie-Horse did a full tour of the yard the day before he went. It was very strange and very contemplative. He visited all of the stables, looked through all of the windows, demanded to see the fields etc. He was totally at peace.

My childhood dog did similar. He was in the final stages of kidney cancer, I was at work and found out when I got home that evening that he had died. That morning despite not having been downstairs in a week, he got up, went downstairs and all round the garden visiting all his favourite spots then went back upstairs to his place by the fire in the living room and died while the family were having lunch. That was in 1968 but still brings tears to my eyes, best dog ever.

 

[Laurac13]

I think that is appalling and I would be seeking a new vet ASAP. It is quite clearly an emergency and the x-rays are needed for horse welfare therefore it is totally recommended by the BEVA guidelines. To suggest you should travel him in that condition ?

Thank you the mule I have been quite happy over the years with my vets the previous ones were awful. But yes an X-ray on site last Friday was needed I don’t think they realised how much he had deteriorated since they saw him 2 days prior despite me calling them in the evening the night before in floods of tears saying he was in a right state and needed looking at ASAP

 

[Laurac13]

Have to say I think I’d find a vet who would x ray too. Most vets are back to normal now. That said, would the treatment be much different anyway..?

Thank you I’m not sure if the treatment would be different or not I’ll look into it x