This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Diagnosing Diseases of the Nervous System »
  Discussion on Loss of balance and urination problems , Linked ?
Author Message
New Member:
Twig

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 - 7:39 am:

Hello. I hope I am posting in the right place.
I have a 13yr gelding who over the past 6 -9mnths has developed fairly severe problems with co-ordination.He doesnt fall down but very often doesnt know where his legs are and can no longer be ridden for safety reasons etc.He has also got problems with Urination.He urinates on site of his feed bucket , twice a day ,and a huge amount comes out but over the past couple of weeks , is leaking also like an over flow on a full bath.The vet has given him an internall and says his bladder is the largest he has ever felt.He thinks the uncordination problems are perhaps down to something pressing on his spine or similar but is the urination problem linked.The vet thinks that perhaps the messages aren't getting through to the bladder to release urine when its full and the site of the bucket is acting as a visual trigger.The vet is trying him on Dexadreson and he is on a 10 day course , this is his 4th day but nothing has changed.He was on a course of bute but also nothing changed .If nothing gets better I will have to put him to sleep as he is very miserable.

Could you suggest anywhere I could start to look to see if these conditions are linked and can be treated.
Thankyou.
Rachel
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 - 6:06 am:

Rachel, there is no doubt these are related as many of the important reflexes and voluntary control to the bladder all pass through the same spinal cord that the nerves to the muscles of the legs travel. The bladder, like your horses legs, has become incoordinated.

Originally it was not contracting voluntarily, so it overfilled which then triggred a reflexive contracture of the very full bladder. Over time the sphincter that keeps the urine in until urination occurs has weakened under the constant pressure so now the overfilled bladder chronically leaks.

I wish I had better news for you but this sounds like this has a poor prognosis for anything but the most aggressive and constantly time consuming therapy. None of which will cure the problem but consists of constant nursing care. The one exception might be if the neurological deficits are reversable(?).

For more on this and possible treatment options see, Equine Diseases » Urinary System » Excessive or Uncontrolled Urination » Discussion on Loss of sphincter tone in young mare.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC