#SIGNS OF HEAD TRAUMA IN HORSES PLUS#

#SIGNS OF HEAD TRAUMA IN HORSES PLUS#

'The inherent limitations and complications of the management of recumbent adult horses include ongoing self-trauma from struggling decubital ulceration reduced ability to eat, drink, defecate and urinate pneumonia, cystitis, GI-tract dysfunction compartmental and/or ischemic myopathy and neuropathy plus considerable labor and financial investment,' Feary says. With recumbent horses, especially those of extensive duration, treatment and care may be difficult, labor-intensive and challenging, with a grave or guarded prognosis. Treatment primarily involves supportive care, including hyperosmolar therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, seizure management, antimicrobial agents and possibly surgical decompression. Many cases are likely missed and heal with time,' Magdesian says. We often see horses that are mildly depressed or have altered gait or subtle neurologic abnormalities that could be the result of TBI. Though obvious severe head trauma often leads to TBI, and the result is fairly obvious, that is not always the case. 'The most important indication of the seriousness of head injury is the duration and progression of recumbency and mental stupor.' 'It should be noted that serious brain injury in no way requires the presence of a fracture, and the presence of a fracture does not necessarily indicate severe brain damage,' says Ragle. Of the 34 horses, 11 did not have a fracture of the cranium identified by radiography, CT or endoscopy, nor upon postmortem diagnosis. In Feary's study, the dominant injury (15 of 34 horses) was basilar and temporal bone fractures associated with poll impact, as well as bony fractures of the calvarium. Horses with higher PCV at the time of hospitalization were less likely to survive.ĭefining view: A CT image demonstrates a fracture of the calvarium. The clinicopathologic variables predominantly seen were moderate neutrophilia and mild lymphopenia plasma osmolarity of venous blood was reported for 13 of the 34 animals. Fewer showed otorrhea (blood or cerebrospinal fluid), dysphagia or blindness, and were unconscious for some period. Several of the horses exhibited recumbency of greater than four hours' duration, epistaxis, facial-nerve paralysis, strablamus and seizures. Of 34 horses with TBI (previously admitted to the UC-Davis teaching hospital), most records showed various neurologic abnormalities, including ataxia, nystagmus, abnormal mentation, abnormal pupil size, symmetry or PLR (pupillary light reflexes), and head tilt. 'CT has markedly improved our detection of fractures and MRI would do the same for soft-tissue injury,' says Magdesian.Īccording to Feary, 'findings of clinicopathologic and cerebrospinal fluid analyses may provide additional information.' ACVCP, associate professor, chief of equine medicine and critical care at the UC-Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital and Feary's mentor during her fellowship there. What about MRI? If available, does it enhance the ability to diagnose and to see more subtle brain injuries? 'Absolutely, without a doubt,' says Gary Magdesian, DVM, Dipl. Looking inside: Cranial radiograph demonstrating a basilar fracture.

Signs of head trauma in horses