Horse is neurological on one side, but it's not EPM

[JstMyLuck3]

My 14 y/o TB was tested for EPM after being diagnosed slightly neuro on his left side. He was exposed to it, but my vet says his levels aren't high enough to actually have it.

He then had me do a test: work him somewhat hard for a consecutive 3 days, then on the 4th day start 3 grams of bute and continue for 2 days while working him. My vet expected there to be a change on the bute, but there wasn't.

He now wants to continue taking a look at his neck/back.. maybe an old injury?

Does anyone have any experience with these symptoms or any ideas of what this could be?

Thanks.

[JstMyLuck3]

Yeah I can tell my vet is slightly stumped... he wants to take x-rays of his neck/back next...

[smay]

Probably the vet wants to rule out Wobbler's disease, which can cause neurological symptoms like that. Xrays can somewhat pinpoint damage to the cervical spine, but then they want to do the myleograms on them and that's expensive. Don't rule out EPM. It's a very tricky disease.

[JstMyLuck3]

Probably the vet wants to rule out Wobbler's disease, which can cause neurological symptoms like that. Xrays can somewhat pinpoint damage to the cervical spine, but then they want to do the myleograms on them and that's expensive. Don't rule out EPM. It's a very tricky disease.

I agree about not ruling out EPM... I don't believe the test. I want to have him tested again maybe in a couple months... EVERYTHING fits.

[shawneeAcres]

Bute will not help a neuro horse, so curious that your vet thought it would? There are other neuro things that are not EPM, but I think the best approach is to treat for 1 month with Marquis and see if you get improvement or not

[smay]

I'm also sorry to report that MY 14-year-old TB gelding was put down yesterday after only a two-month battle with EPM that came on SO incredibly fast and furious that even the vets were dumbfounded at its progression. And it started with a slight incoordination behind that no one but myself could "see."

[kcmel]

What are his symptoms? How is his neck flexibility? Could be neck arthritis. My tb started showing symptoms about age 9. Is he tall? It seems to be worse in large horses. I read a study somewhere that over 50% of tbs showed signs of neck arthritis, although I don't recall the time of onset. I would definitely recommend x-rays--we also did a bone scan.

[AW]

smay, check your PTs

[Horsedoctor]

Bute will not help a neuro horse, so curious that your vet thought it would? There are other neuro things that are not EPM, but I think the best approach is to treat for 1 month with Marquis and see if you get improvement or not


Actually we often prescribe bute for neuro issues as it decreases inflammation (and pain!), which if a pretty common feature of many neurologic diseases. It is helpful for compression of the spinal cord (Wobbler's) and can help with the inflammation associated with EPM, among other diseases ;) I would be considering cervical spine radiographs first, then a myelogram if no conclusions are reached and finances allow. Marquis is a great drug, but if the signs point away from EPM, then the $800+ is probably better spent on diagnostics. Brain tumors are uncommon in horses, but spinal cord compression and/or nerve disruption from whatever cause is common with neuro deficits.

[Simkie]

Yep. Blush has neuro issues due to bony changes at C6/C7, which were diagnosed via nuclear scintigraphy. We injected the facet joints on both sides, which made her normal for about 6 months. After 6 months, neuro symptoms returned, we injected again and did not see the same response. She's now retired on pasture.

She's not in pain, but she's definitely not normal behind. She looks okay--she's not falling over or dangerous to handle--but it's not fair to ask her to work when she just can't come from behind evenly.

I'd skip right to the full body bone scan were I in your shoes.

[JstMyLuck3]

Thanks everyone for the good input... I've been continuing to hack him about 4 days per week as per orders from my vet. In the past 4 years, he's flipped on me twice at the canter. I can't help but get nervous sometimes cantering him... not sure if it's just a coincidence or has to do with this issue. Some extra funds would help right now for all these diagnostics, but what can you do.

[EqTrainer]

There was a really interesting abstract posted here about NTW's in the spinal cord causing neurological symptoms. Might try to track that down.

[grayarabs]

Will just toss in Horner's Syndrome - though I doubt is the case for your horse.