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  Discussion on Will neuro type issues look better after time off?
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Member:
kjthoma

Posted on Friday, Feb 15, 2013 - 8:42 pm:

Dr.O: I need an independent 3rd opinion on neuro progression. I understand that you can't diagnose from a video....just asking for general impressions.

We just started my mare back in work, and couldn't get her under saddle...she objected pretty violently.

After 3 weeks of 1 hr of ground work 2x per week, she was looking VERY uncoordinated. Had a vet out, and she diagnosed neuro deficits.

She did placement tests, small circles, I did a halter and tail circle (she stumbled pretty badly when let go).

We were thinking spread of melanoma, but an EPM test just came back 'borderline positive'. And now after 2 weeks off she isn't looking as bad.

Here are some videos from right before the vet came out:

small circles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylY8Ap5ob9c

walking up hill w/ an elevated head:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs6UaHYGDBg

trying to lunge to the right (she had a canter 3 weeks ago, but will now only pace. she IS gaited, but usually chooses to NOT pace).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7-iqSq1SWY

trying to lunge on more difficult footing (the footfall is really a gait - but it doesn't usually look stilted)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl2ZWDNR5X4


The horse has now been off for 2 weeks...I can't reproduce the placement tests at ALL, she is moving more freely in general. A tail pull is very weak on the left, but you cant pull her over at all on the right. Small circles still look strange, still, but she wasn't stumbling anymore.

Now I am totally confused...and not sure if I'm looking at pain or EPSM (she had really knotted up hamstrings) or something neuro....????? There is a second vet coming out tomorrow (original is out of town), but I just found out that these 2 don't agree much.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 16, 2013 - 11:49 am:

Hello Kimberly,
I would say this horse is lame in the left rear leg based on the asymmetry of motion of the rear's motion in the arena:
1) L hip hike on weight bearing at walk and trot
2) Shortened anterior phase of left at trot in the first half of the video.

Yes in the very small circles you see some things that say maybe neurological:
1) Rotation of a planted foot
2) Crossing of the legs
but you cannot hang your hats on these as the are not regular and not pathognomonic for disease.

The short duration and conditions of my observations make them very suspect but I put them here as an example of how you should approach the problem of two different vet exams. You need to note carefully the objective observations that you make and the two vets make and separate them out from the interpretations or diagnosis. Both vets and you should agree on what they see the horse is doing though they may disagree on the why. Where there are differences in the objective part a good video that can be slowed down and carefully picked apart. Once everyone agrees on a set of objective observations, thing consider cause.
DrO
Member:
kjthoma

Posted on Saturday, Feb 16, 2013 - 12:07 pm:

Thank you!!!!!!
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