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Discussion on Arthritis of the neck... Has anyone had any experience?
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New Member:
ridersup
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 - 9:49 pm:
This is really interesting. I am taking care of a horse that was just diagnosed with arthritis between C6 and C7. He was treated for EPM first due to "asymmetrical" neurological symptoms. Once he returned to work under saddle the symptoms came back. Then he had a spinal tap that was negative for EPM and is now being treated for arthritis based on xray findings (joint injected and daily NSAID). I would love any feedback, this horse is only 6 and I am not ready to believe that his "career is over".
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Nov 21, 2008 - 8:13 am:
Welcome ponygirl,
If the diagnosis correct this could be a career ending problem. Note that arthritis in one so young indicates probable cervical instability. We have a whole article on this so for much more than a little feedback see Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Incoordination, Weakness, Spasticity, Tremors » Wobblers or Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy. For a look at other possibilities see Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Incoordination, Weakness, Spasticity, Tremors » Diagnosing Incoordination, Ataxia and Weakness.
DrO
PS ponygirl, you will get more and faster responses if you will post your questions about your horse in a new discussion rather than post at the bottom of another members discussion. For more on this see Help & Information on Using This Site » Welcome to The Horseman's Advisor.
DrO
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 - 8:06 am:
Angela thank you for your help but it should be understood that there would be considerable difference in the prognosis of a horse with incoordination due to spinal cord compression and a horse who bolted when worked. If we assume this was due to pain it suggests nerve root compression which is not as bad as cord compression.
DrO
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New Member:
ridersup
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 - 10:06 pm:
Thank you Angela and Dr. O for that information. It's all really helpful. Just wondering, how do you confirm spinal cord compression? a myelogram? The interesting part about what Angela said is that this horse was going great about 1 year ago, then he was gelded (at age 6) and really was never the same after that. He felt weak behind for weeks after returning to work and we kept assuming that it was from being gelded, then after about 4 months we ruled that out. The other interesting parallel is that this horse is also a "spinner". He spins-always to the left- when other horses come at him and if he spooks.
If there is spinal cord compression in the neck do the neurological symptoms usually show up in the front end?
Thanks again :-)
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 23, 2008 - 10:07 am:
Diagnosis and pathology as to why the hind is usually effected first and worse are covered in the article on Wobblers I referenced above.
DrO
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New Member:
ridersup
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 23, 2008 - 11:00 am:
Ok, I'll read that.
Thank You.
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New Member:
missydfe
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Posted on Friday, Jan 8, 2016 - 2:02 pm:
Same issue here! Neg. epm - neg. Lyme - normal muscle biopsy. Clean X-rays of head, teeth fine, normal muscle biopsy, ears clean, vision good, arthritic changes at c6 c7 however not Wobbler. The only thing left to scope for ulcers, inject c6c7 and .... MRi of head ( brain)
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Member:
dlsenDrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 - 9:05 am:
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