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 » Neurological Conditions Not Covered Above » Cranial Nerve Diseases »
  Discussion on Nerve Damage?
Author Message
Member:
leec

Posted on Saturday, Jun 20, 2009 - 11:23 pm:

Hi DrO,
I think my 3 yr old gelding has smacked the top of his head really hard on a fence post or rail. I was working in the pasture about 25’ from where he and my mare were standing near a fence and I heard a scuffling noise. When I looked up he was staggering around in tight circles with his neck bent to the left. He took at least 6 turns that I saw, DrOpped his nose to the ground and walked drunkenly about 15’ and stopped with his head still lowered. When I approached him, he did not raise or turn his head, but he did move away a few steps when the dominant mare approached. I put her in another pen and when I returned he had not moved. He seemed in a daze and only reacted when I tried to touch between his ears. After an hour, he was walking more coordinated, was eating, moving his eyeballs to follow movement, reacting to flies – swishing his tail, stomping, wiggling his skin, but still not raising or turning his head. It has now been 7 hours since the incident and he will raise his head so his nose is at knee level. Is it possible he just has one heck of a headache or could he have nerve damage? Will I cause him more harm by waiting to see if he continues to improve in the next 24 hrs, or should I get a vet to see him as soon as possible?
Thank you,
Lee C
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Jun 20, 2009 - 11:43 pm:

Hi Lee, not Dr.O. but I wonder if giving him some bute or banamine might help relieve any inflammation that might be going on and make him feel better?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 - 9:36 am:

Hello Lee,
When this first happened I would have strongly recommend getting the veterinarian out, I have seen such cases progress to more severe symptoms as the CNS swells. This would include blindness and seizures. In such cases I wondered if early corticosteroid use might have prevented the sequelae. Now that time has passed it is less clear. In either case it si not a decision we can make, but this sounds like a serious problem to me that may or may not self resolve.
DrO
Member:
leec

Posted on Sunday, Jun 21, 2009 - 3:41 pm:

Hi DrO,
Unfortunately we are not located where we can get a vet quickly, even in cases of an emergency. So far today, Chance can raise his head to a normal height if he needs to - he can also turn his head, which he wasn't doing yesterday. If one did not know him, they might think he was normal, but he is much quieter than usual. I gave him some bute this morning, as Diane E. and a couple of other horse people I spoke to suggested. A couple hours later I went for a walk through the pasture and he followed me, he elected on his own to trot and canter a couple of times - though not with his usual exuberance - head and tail held high... and afterwards he was being playful with his feed bucket. Is there any kind of time frame for something like this that will tell me if he's going to be okay? Could he relapse?
This little gelding is my rescue project and I believe his first 2 yrs of life were far from perfect - he has physical scars and often his behaviour suggests there are psychological scars... He would be worth nothing to most people, but I think he's a pretty special guy - a 'been through it all' horse.
Lee C
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 22, 2009 - 8:42 am:

For worsening condition I would say 72 hours is pretty safe Lee. As to returning to normal as long as progress is being made I would be encouraged.
DrO
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Monday, Jun 22, 2009 - 12:12 pm:

When my neighbor's mare suffered such an injury (very severe) she had the Vet out immediately and Cortecosteroids were given and Banamine was prescribed twice daily for several days.

It seems to me that she also had an IV for some other drug administration.

She also had to use eye ointment to lubricate the eyes.

The mare was showing severe neurological symptoms.

In time, she recovered very well though I don't think I would put a heavy load or an unbalanced rider on her without a lot of experimentation first by an expert.
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