Tremors-wonderful update!

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:38 pm

Looking for ideas while I await my vets visit on Thursday. I have a 4yr old colt that in the last 10 days to 2 weeks has become increasingly not himself. Cant really put my finger on what is going on he is eating, drinking, ect as normal but is spending an increasing amount of time laying down. Over the weekend I noticed a twitch in his shoulder..thought maybe he needed more turnout time so I had him out for a few hours. Now his shoulders and hips are trembling. Tonite he was laying out flat when I went out to feed, got up to drink some water and layed down again to eat...temp is normal, no cough, snots or other signs of illness. He is just very "tired" looking and has the tremors. Any advice while I wait for Thursday?

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:00 pm

I wouldn't wait until Thursday to find out what could be wrong with him. If he's been going downhill for two weeks already, it doesn't sound like something that is going away without medical help.

Laurierace · Postby **Laurierace** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:26 pm

I've got to agree, that warrants an emergency visit imo. I hope he gets better soon.

Discovery · Postby **Discovery** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:55 pm

agree with everyone else, would get the vet out first thing in the morning

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:02 pm

Would love to get the vet here tomorrow but I have to van to the vets office and we are having an ice storm...the trailer is not leaving my driveway.

Crystal · Postby **Crystal** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:18 pm

I'm not sure, but sometimes in humans muscle twitches has to do with low potassium..

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:23 pm

Crystal...I was thinking along the same lines and have been researching it tonite ..(with 2inches of ice everywhere its great to be inside) I was also thinking maybe selenium or Vit E? His grain has everything in it since its a commercial mix but maybe he needs more? I cant wait until I have bloodwork to work with. He has always been a very laidback colt so I thought he was just really being lazy until tonite. I checked on him awhile ago and he is standing, eating and acting normal. The tremors are almost like a cold shiver and while it is cold here he has never done it before the last few days.

Regal13 · Postby **Regal13** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:35 pm

Just found this.... Does this sound like it could be it....???? (Or maybe the onset?)

Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND)
The equine equivalent of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), EMND causes profound muscle atrophy, weakness, trembling, and often slight increases in blood levels of muscle enzymes. The weakness is most profound in the muscles used for maintenance of posture. Horses are most distressed while standing; they shift weight in the hind limbs, tremble, sweat and often lie down. Severe cases of muscle atrophy and weakness due to EPSM look similar. A muscle biopsy test for EMND and/or EPSM will make the distinction. EMND horses have extremely low levels of vitamin E, believed to be the main cause of the disease.

Regal13 · Postby **Regal13** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:37 pm

Just found this.... Does this sound like it could be it....???? (Or maybe the onset?)

Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND)
The equine equivalent of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), EMND causes profound muscle atrophy, weakness, trembling, and often slight increases in blood levels of muscle enzymes. The weakness is most profound in the muscles used for maintenance of posture. Horses are most distressed while standing; they shift weight in the hind limbs, tremble, sweat and often lie down. Severe cases of muscle atrophy and weakness due to EPSM look similar. A muscle biopsy test for EMND and/or EPSM will make the distinction. EMND horses have extremely low levels of vitamin E, believed to be the main cause of the disease.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:10 am

Thanks Regal! That does pretty well describe him, when he stands he is constantly shuffling on his hind legs but I walked him for a bit inside this morning and he is moving fine. But when I went to touch his shoulder he cringed...it was mentioned to me that maybe he was cast and pulled a muscle or his back is out ...he is standing, walking and eating like normal this morning though.
Maybe he needs more Vit E than his grain supplies...cant wait til tomorrow!

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:26 pm

You might want to try Vitamin E capsules for humans from the vitamin shop, my vet told me that the Vitamin E in "horse supplement's" are not regulated or guaranteed, The human stuff is..I have my horse on 10,000 IU's of vitamin E, 5 capsules in the morning and 5 at night my horse has EPSM and is doing quite well..good luck!

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:41 pm

If he's eating and temp is normal those are good signs. I would pull blood, have a vet check him out. You might think about trying to block an area and see if his symptoms change. Hopefully it's something minor.

Laurierace · Postby **Laurierace** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:05 pm

What did the vet say Gerry?

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:11 pm

Sorry my mind is in a million directions. Bloodwork came back good but when he touched the middle of his back, the colt "folded"..definitely trauma of somesort so now I am looking for a chiropractor. The vet did suggest Vit E, Selenium and put him on 1/2 bute twice a day to see if that helps at all. He is standing and walking around and while not normal he is definitely already feeling better.

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:54 pm

We found the problem...actually my Mom did and boy do I feel stupid (and I am sure that the vet will too!) we went over him neck to tail but didnt look too closely at his head....my Mom went to pet him today since he was acting very much like his normal self and she found a knot and wound under his forelock..he must have hit his head fairly hard at somepoint in the last 2 weeks. He is very sensitive to having it touched and I have no idea what he banged it on, unless he was cast and threw his head against the wall to get up?!?
I am sure that he is going to be 100% soon. :lol:

I am going to keep him on the supplements since they can only help.
Thanks everyone!