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  Discussion on Wobbles
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Posted on Friday, Feb 25, 2000 - 9:27 am:

I have a 4 yr old (will be 5 in April) paint gelding (Jazz) who was recently diagnosed with Wobbler SynDrOme. I bred and raised him and needless to say I am devastated at this news.

History:

Last summer he was experiencing quite a bit of back soreness. Initially I thought it was due to poor saddle fit, and immediately stopped using any of the saddles that I owned and began chiropractic treatment. Upon the chiro's first visit, he asked if "Jazz" was a roping horse, since his withers and shoulders were severely out of whack. He also noted that there was slight atrophy in his left shoulder. I told him that he was strictly a pleasure horse and that I had started him under saddle at 3 and had done only flat work. He then asked if he had experienced a severe injury, which I indicated he had not. After 5 treatment/adjustments, the chiro felt he had corrected the problem and that I should continue to monitor, but could resume work with him.

I rode him bareback since I couldn't seem to find a saddle that fit him properly. He worked beautifully without a saddle, but anytime I'd try a saddle on him, he'd buck and/or move very stiff.

Recent events:

2 weeks ago I went out to feed and Jazz was standing by himself and seemed reluctant to move. When I took him out of the corral, he was "goose-stepping" behind (more pronounced on the left). I called the vet, who did a neuro exam and drew blood. My vet immediately started him on an EPM treatment program (DMSO stomach tube, tuceprim, bute, banamine and daraprim). The blood came back weak positive for EPM, so we did a spinal tap.

The spinal came back negative for EPM, but showed chronic inflammation. My vet's diagnoses was "most likely Wobbler SynDrOme".

I am confused by this given the age of the horse (4 coming 5), and that he's hardly a "big" horse (14.3-15 h). His diet may have led to the problem since when he was younger (weanling to yearling) I had him on Equine Jr., which I now know was a huge mistake (given the high protein content, and in order to get the full vitamin and mineral benefit I would have had to feed him 10lbs a day!). He's currently receiving 2lbs of a 12% mix along with a grass/alfalfa mix hay. I have also started him on vitamin E (6,000 units/day) and he receives Equi-Shine supplement.

I really don't want to put him through the spinal x-ray, particularly since I wouldn't give him the surgery given the low success rate.

Given his age, his there any treatment (other than surgery) that might help him? Also, would you concur with this diagnosis (based on the info I have provided)?

I can't bear the thought of putting him down. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Posted on Saturday, Feb 26, 2000 - 6:52 am:

There is no way for us to know if your horse has Wobblers from the history. The CSF tap is not 100% accurate either and the fact that you had treated prior to the tap may lower its accuracy further. If surgery and further diagnostic work up is out I would continue to treat for the other possibilites including EPM and hope for the best. On the other hand a accurate diagnosis may save money and heartach in the long run.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Feb 28, 2000 - 12:51 pm:

Lorianne-

Before you make and "perminant" decisions I emplore you to check out information on EPSM, Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. PLEASE!!!

You can find out info on this at www.Ruralheritage.com look under the "Vet Clenic" section. I realy think you'll find this info interesting and you *might* find some good news or atleast a route to take.

Let us know and if you and you vet think this might be a possiblity I'll be happy to share any info or rescources I have.

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 29, 2000 - 9:32 am:

I think Emily's suggestion is a good one. Though this form of the condition is not one I have seen, Dr. Valentine reports the kind of gait you describe as one of the symptoms of EPSM. But it is also common in spinal disease.

A very easy way to separate EPSM from spinal injury is a profile of muscle enzymes. As long as the horse is not recumbant for long periods they should be near normal in spinal conditions but markedly (greater than 4 X normal) elevated following acute episodes with EPSM. I am not sure you can completely rule out EPSM with this but it makes it much less likely

We have more information on this condition under, Equine Diseases: Lameness: Problems of Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments, and Bones: Tying Up & Rhabdomyolysis
DrO
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