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Discussion on Fractured vertebrae?
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New Member:
Kchariot
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 6, 2004 - 9:18 pm:
I have a yearling QH who collided with another horse. She had difficulty getting up and didn't seem able to control her front leg.
The vet came out and gave her bute. He thought she may have pulled a muscle. The next day she was walking like she was drunk. The vet came out with a chiro vet to take x-rays. The chiro vet thought she had a pinched nerve. He didn't take any x-rays.
She had three doses of DMSO before the chiro vet returned. He checked her over and decided she had some rear lameness, on the same side as the front. He then decided she might have a fractured vertebrae. Of course, if she does, she will have to be put down.
This is difficult because she is my first horse. She doesn't seem to be in any pain. She can get up and move her neck okay.
Two days ago, after being confined to a small stall for almost 3 weeks, she decided to break out. She broke the stud gate and proceeded to jump up eight feet in the air, while racing around her pen. She didn't look like there was anything wrong with her at all.
Later that same day she was walked in the barn. She seems much improved from day one, was no worse off after the excercise she decided to give herself, and the only time her front leg is noticably off is on turning.
We have found a vet who has the equipment to check her out thoroughly. I guess my question is does this sound like a fractured vertebrae? Should we be hopeful because she has improved? How long before we will know if she has perminent damage? Could the chiro vet be wrong?
Help!!!!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 1:41 pm:
Taking your questions in order:- There is not enough information to know if the vertebrae is fractured but it is possible: get a radiograph.
- Yes, improvement is not typical with spinal cord impingement, it usually is progressively worse. But that is not the same as a guarantee she will come sound.
- You will know when you have a good diagnosis on the cause of the lameness/incoordination.
- See answer number one.
DrO
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Member:
Kchariot
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2004 - 5:11 pm:
Dr. O
A week before Kappy's collision she spooked during a hail storm and hit the pipe fence with her shoulder. She dented the fence, but seemed not to have injured herself.
After the collision the front leg just hung. The next day we thought she had a shoulder injury because she rotated her shoulder out when she would step.
We only see the shoulder rotation now when she turns. Would a fractured vertabrae cause this type of movement? Since Sweeny shoulder and a fractured vertebrae cause muscle atrophy, about how long does it take for the atrophy to become obvious?
The chiro vet never mentioned getting a radiograph. He wanted us to ship her to WY to get evaluated, something we weren't ready to do at that time because she was still pretty wobbly.
The chiro vet said to give her 4 weeks of rest and, if she was going to get better, she would be almost normal, or 90% normal. Since Kappy wasn't giving up, we were more than willing to give her time to see what would happen.
I am greatful for this website because without it I might have accepted his diagnosis.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I know you can't diagnose my horse without more information.
Thanks!!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Nov 8, 2004 - 6:31 am:
While a fractured vertebrae might cause a instability that pinched a lower motor neuron so that the shoulder was not stable you would see many other more serious signs.
This is begining to sound more like damage to the nerves that run over the scapula (shoulder) and as you have accurately put together may represent an early stage of sweeny. Usually muscle atrophy is evident by now but dependent on how nerve damage is done, for more see Equine Diseases » Nervous System » Neurological Conditions Not Covered Above » Shoulder Sweeny.
DrO
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New Member:
sblairey
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 2, 2008 - 10:40 am:
I have a 2 1/2 yr old thoroughbred colt who took a nasty spill at a dead gallop on rain-soaked grass 10 days ago. The next morning found him parked out and swaying in his stall. I have a Chiro vet who adjusted him, gave him some bute, a round of steroids and anti-inflammatories. The diagnosis read mild ataxia, no palpable signs of fracture to C2, C3 and C4. He showed marginal improvement, but now that the meds have worn off, he is definitely worse. We have strong herd behavior in my barn, he cannot stand being separated from the herd. He has bumps, small lacerations and probably other injuries I don't know about yet. My questions are; 1) what is the best treatment for this situation,can I sedate him to keep him safe? 2) Will he recover to a normal life or am I kidding myself? 3)W/O any more $$ at my disposal, can I assume a cervical fracture? if so, what is the treatment for that?
This baby is a rescue and has already beaten the odds. I cannot give up on this beautiful boy now!
Without a fat bank account, I don't know where to turn.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Oct 3, 2008 - 9:06 am:
Welcome Blair
1) Stall rest and antiinflammatories like the veterinarian started would be best treatment Blair. If sedation is required to keep the horse quiet that can be used for more on stall resting horses see Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Stall Resting Horses.
2) There is no way for us to assess this Blair, it would require knowledge of the exact nature of the injury.
3) I think the worsening condition during this week is a bad prognostic sign but I would attempt treatment for at least a month or until the ataxia worsens to the point the horse becomes a danger.
DrO
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New Member:
sblairey
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Posted on Saturday, Oct 4, 2008 - 2:11 pm:
Thank you Dr. O for your prompt response. The colt Rogue was put back on the anti-inflammatories and was given a low-level sedative (can't think of it now) yesterday. This morning he is worse. He still cannot stand to be separated, and was injuring himself in his stall with his legs buckling underneath him. We made the decision to put him out in the pasture, very carefully, and let him graze with the two others. At least he is calm and standing out there. I will finish out this round of dexamethasone and Banamine, unless he can no longer walk. Extended stall rest is not an option in my barn. This intense herd behavior is ridiculous and has made all of this harder. Never again will I board with people who just want pasture horses, unless I want that too.
I am praying for the best. Thank you so very much,
B.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Oct 6, 2008 - 7:19 am:
Please let us know how this works out.
DrO
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Member:
rorien
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Posted on Monday, Oct 6, 2008 - 5:19 pm:
How did Kathy's horse turn out? Since this was posted at the end of hers, it has resurrected her original post.
Kathy, are you still out there? What was the final diagnosis on Kappy?
Nicole
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New Member:
sblairey
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 - 10:20 pm:
Rogue has been out in a small (level) paddock during the day and in his stall at night for four days now. He IS better! Still wobbly, but he is thriving and even playful. His stablemates, the mares, are feeling cooped up, but even when they gallop around, he has learned his limitations, and does not always join in now. I have not seen him fall in at least 48 hrs! I know that sounds sad, but to me, it is a WORLD of difference. He eats his little bit of grain with the meds in it, and then lies down for the night - shavings in his eyes and all. I am almost out of dexamethasone and Banamine so I will call the vet tomm. I am thinking I should get him down to Bute instead of Banamine, and would like to know if there are any lasting effects of the corticosteroid? SHould I do another round? I would like to get him adjusted (chiropractic) again, but am waiting for the inflammation to subside a little bit.
Remaining positive...
Blair
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Member:
eoeo
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 - 11:40 pm:
Blair, you are looking at a long road to recovery.
We had a colt jump out of the big paddock last March while there was still snow on the ground. He must have caught his hind legs on the top of the 5 foot panel as I found him laying outside. He could not get up kept floundering all over the place. Had the vet come out and gave him dix and banamine for 5 days, that was all the vet wanted as far as the dex went. He improved quite a bit to the point that he was walking albeit in one direction, around in the stall within a couple of days. He was stall rested for 3 months, then turned out into a paddock by the other colts for another month. His head still has a small tilt to it, but he is kicking fanny on the rest of them. He gallops without a problem now, turns his neck either way that he pleases. Other than the slight tilt of the head, he looks and acts normal. I am going to start working him in the round pen to the left as his head tilt is to the right, to see if I can get what are probably adhesions at his poll to break loose. It is a darn shame this happened. He is one of the best looking Basket Weave colts we have ever raised. He is out of an own daughter of Sham. Remember him??  EO
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 - 7:21 am:
Hello Blair,
No there are no lasting effects to the dex after such a short course but the decision for further treatment should be made by your veterinarian. For more on the use of dexamethasone see, Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Dexamethasone.
I strongly recommend against "adjustments" in any case of spinal instability.
DrO
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