OCD in the neck?

[Rye]

I'm looking for anyone who's had an OCD lesion in the neck on their horse? My best friend just called and her 5 year old mare might have one near vert. 4 and 5.

I'm just looking to find out what others might have done for treatment? Any specialists in the country that are known for dealing with this?

Thanks for any info/leads you might be able to provide.

[Dan]

I'm not sure what you mean by OCD lesion in the neck. Are there chips coming out or do you just mean degenerative arthritis.

I am wondering if you are describing wobbles.

Dan

[HappierQH]

I'm looking for anyone who's had an OCD lesion in the neck on their horse? My best friend just called and her 5 year old mare might have one near vert. 4 and 5.

I'm just looking to find out what others might have done for treatment? Any specialists in the country that are known for dealing with this?

Thanks for any info/leads you might be able to provide.

My horse, Turner, formerly known as Ted, was diagnosed with CVM (Cervical Vertebral Malformation) through a myelogram exam. The examination took place at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivas, California. A wonderful facility. The x-ray showed the narrowing of the spinal canal at C4 & C5. They @ Alamo couldn't confirm that the narrowing was caused by OCD through the images on the x-ray but they did mention it as a possible cause for his affliction. However, based on the findings in the x-ray, hoping that his condition was caused by minimal damage from possible OCD, his age (5 years old) and only minor ataxia, my horse was referred to a surgeon, Dr. Barry Grant, who specialized in inserting a "Bagby Basket" to stabilize the two unstable vertebras.

The surgery was not successful. Sadly it is a very, very invasive operation and not a high % of cases with favorable end results. It is not for the meek; both horse and human.

I do NOT recommend the surgery. Of the three horses that I know, personally, none of them had a complete recovery. However, I did do my research before committing my horse to this procedure, and found there to be some success stories (Seattle Slew is one of them). Also, I believe Dr. Grant has since retired and I don't know of a physician that has replaced him and presently performing the surgery.

Thankfully, I do have a favorable report on Turner . . . it has a happy ending. Through a nutritional program designed by Lisa St. John @ LavenderSage Inc. Turner made a full recovery. After 4 years of various treatments (including the surgery that was at the beginning of those 4 years); both allopathic and homeopathic (mainly chiropractic) and just before he was to be euthanized, I contacted Lisa. Her program saved his life . . . in 9 months.

If you are interested in viewing his story in a video format, check it out @ youtube.com/lisastjohn, click 'A Bright Future for Ted'.

His recovery has astonished many experts. His return to the show arena, surprised even more experts. His show debut videos also appear on youtube.com/lisastjohn.

Lisa is incredible at what she does so it may be worth your friend's consideration to look to her horse's diet before taking any invasive actions. I really believe in what Lisa does. She is amazing and her results are miraculous. Check out her website @ www.lavendersageequine.com.

[WorthTheWait95]

My BO's mare has serious neck arthritis and was lame for many, many years before we discovered why. It was caused by an accident she had before they bought her and didn't cause any issues until she was 7 (11 now). She is now sound and showing again but requires regular neck injections, shockwave and she lives on previcox. It's a bad thing to have happen since there is no 'cure' and it affects their entire body. She alternated between looking crippled up front and behind, being back sore/girthy and only willing to be ridden with her head practically on the ground. That mare is a constant struggle to keep sound still and will most likely be retired within the next year. Luckily she is bred to the hilt and will make a nice broodmare. They treat her at Palm Beach Equine and Rood and Riddle depending on where they're showing, I'm not sure a regular vet would have the experience or tools necessary to really treat.

[contesstant]

My fantastic 5 year old gelding died from complications during a myelogramm (or really, during the recovery) this past February. He was showing subtle neuro symptoms for quite a while. Neuro exam graded out at a 2/3. Turns out, he had lesions at C3 and C4, most likely due to OCD as he was a VERY large purebred arabian. I was devastated and still get choked up talking about it at times. He was LOADED with talent.

My understanding of the basket surgery is that it is now at about a 90% success rate. There are a few vets in the country who perform it, including Dr. Trostle at Blue Ridge Equine near Charlottesville, VA. He perfected the technique under the guidance of Dr. Grant as he was one of the surgeons in on the original Seattle Slew surgery, and performed many after that with Dr. Grant.

Here is some information on the basket surgery and what IS often termed "Wobblers Syndrome":

http://www.equine-equilibrium.com/ARTICLE.BasketCasePDF.pdf
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/info_wobbler.htm
http://www.seattleslew.com/articles.aspx?aid=19

I am sorry to anyone who is dealing with, or has dealt with an equine neurological issue. It is NOT fun.

[Rye]

I really appreaciate it and knew someone on this board had probably been through it, I find this place to be a great source of information. I'll pass it all on to my friend.

To answer your question Dan, its most likely a chip, not arthritic. More diagnostics are underway to determine more. I am just realy bummed for her, it's a beautiful mare.