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This is a friend of mine. The horse fell into a hole and was stuck there for hours. The horse had made great improvements, but continues to drag hind legs. My best guess is that it is from spinal pressure. (I had a dog that had spinal surgery.) Thoughts?
Now for part of Chaco’s rehabilitation, we head to the arena and walk for 15-20 minutes a day. Chaco starts walking, then stops, the he starts walking and then he stops. He backs up for 10 steps and continues walking then we head for the Cavalettis and step over a series of 3. Here is where the difficulty comes- Chaco has a very hard time getting his hind end over the cavalettis.
I have emailed, called and left messages to no avail. I’m trying to get Chaco into Dr. Sarah LeJeune at UCD for evaluation and imaging to once and for all determine what’s up in the hind end. If any of you have a connection at UCD can you please help us out? I don’t know what to do short of just driving to the large animal hospital.
I will update as this unfolds. -
Hello Laurie,
Could we see a video of the horse moving or the veterinary exam findings? Yes, neurological disease is possible as is musculoskeletal damage to some part of the reciprocal/stay apparatus, upward patellar fixation or damage to the extensors. This could be important as enforced rest is important for some of these m-s diseases.
DrOPS: a video may exceed the attachment upload limit. If you will email it to horseadvice@horseadvice.com I will attach it here.
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Got it Laurie,
I will see if I can get this in the topic in the next few days. In the meantime, I see a bilateral hind toe drag characterized by a lack of flexion of the whole leg. In the video, it is interesting that the horse can lift both legs well over the cavaletti. Is this a recent improvement? This conscious motor control, along with the regularness of the drag, leans me away from spinal nerve damage though the dust obscures this observation. Pain from the spine is still in the mix, however. I would also love to have a video trotting both ways and directly away from the camera. Still would like to hear what the examining vet found. On tight circles does the horse cross his hind legs? Has there been a concerted NSAID trial recently?
DrO -
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They finally were able to get an appointment with UC Davis. Some really good news!!!
Wonderful news to share !
Yesterday we spent 8 hours at UCDavis with Chaco. What an amazing facility and caring staff.
Chaco finally got to meet with Dr. Sara LeJeune. She was completely shocked that Chaco had not suffered any catastrophic injuries.
After taking an extensive history of what exactly happened to him at Point Reyes, answering all our questions and concerns, Dr. LeJeune and Dr. Hanna introduced themselves to Chaco. He was a model patient.
We watched as Chaco was palpated, walked, trotted, lunged, hoof tested and probed. We went from a firm footed arena to an amazing special footing arena so that Dr. LeJeune could watch and record all of Chacos movements.
Next stop was the x ray department, checking Chaco for any damage to his head, teeth (Chaco broke a 5” log with his head during the trauma and broke a lower tooth)
and hind end. A sleepy boy returned to his stall while we got to review his x rays with the doctor. Nothing terrible on the X-rays but one spot did trouble Dr. LeJeune so the next stop was diagnostic ultrasound. After forever, really just 2 hours, Chaco came back to his stall with a shaved leg and a hungry tummy.
So, what did they find?
Chaco has inflammation of the Right Stifle. He has a mild tear in his right meniscus and another tear in the right tendon. His red cells are low due to the stress and trauma he experienced. So we have a diagnosis! Nothing that can’t be healed.
Dr. LeJeune has prescribed Zycosan, 1 shot a week for 4 weeks, vitamin E to help with healing and a red blood cell booster.
We have a follow up appointment in October with Dr. LeJeune to assess how well the Zycosan worked and if further injections are needed.
Wow … what a day! Relief that Chaco will be able to “return to riding the trails in a few months” according to the doctor. After everything Chaco went through, falling in a sink hole, somersaulting down the ravine, falling over and over, getting stuck over and under a tree in freezing cold water, scratching his cornea, getting pulled up a 100’ steep embankment, trying to walk after 9 hours down the ravine, walking 3 1/2 miles on a gnarly, rocky trail, hanging on for an hour and half trailer ride to the emergency hospital, 3 days of IV fluids and drugs and testing, my boy is going to be ok. (I just got chills writing that).
Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement with Chacos recovery and rehabilitation.
I truly believe that Chacos survival is a miracle. ❤️ -
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