Advice needed on foal with possible nerve damage

[foothillsequine]

I have a colt who will be 7 mths old on 12/26. Today he was out in his paddock and when I went to bring him into the barn he could not walk. (He was out with pregnant broodmares who do not bother him, and he does not bother them--him dam colicked and died in September).

I picked up his front leg to examine the leg and hoof and I felt crepitus (bones rubbing together), ran in called the vet and tried to remain calm, as his foot was somewhat angular as well. I was sure he had broken something. The vet came out--she does not think he broke anything as he can weight bear on it. However, she does think he has radial nerve damage, because he is dragging his whole leg behind him. He cannot pull his leg forward on his own. If I pick it up and put it in front of him he can put his weight on it. He is eating and drinking fine. My questions are:

Has anyone had any experience with radial nerve damage and most importantly, does it heal so that the horse can walk, be ridden etc. He is a race bred foal and she is telling me I must be prepared to have him put down. Thoughts please??! I would really appreciate any and all input. I hate the thought of having him put down, but I will if I have to.

Thanks very much (in advance).

[majxmom]

I've seen it in a dog, not in a horse. A dachshund owned by the people I was living with was attacked by a Rottweiler. The dog was paralyzed in the front limb, and couldn't walk at all. He could only lay there and look like a slug. It was very sad to see. The vet told them to do physical therapy: to move the limb every day as much as they could, in a movement similar to walking. The husband was very rough with the dog, flapping the leg around, and they barely did it at all. After weeks, I felt so sorry for the dog and butted in. I had no hope anything would work because the dog was in such a pathetic state, and weeks had gone by. But it was amazing. The dog started responding within days. I just manipulated the limb gently in a circular motion, like a massage. He started dragging himself around within a week, and in about two weeks, he was walking. Eventually he recovered completely. If the vet okays it, I would try moving the limb around gently to mimic a walking gait, as many times a day as you can manage.

[foothillsequine]

That's good advice and I will definitely try it. I would think that range of motion exercises can't be bad. He is pretty easy to handle, so it should not be difficult. In the meantime, I am applying a paste with DMSO and fura-zone (to be done once per day), giving him a 1/2 gram of bute, 1/4 tube of gastroguard once per day and he is to be on stall rest for two weeks. He will not like that, but...

[Tiz]

That stinks.
Did you get exrays? Do you have it supported with a wrap, or splint of some kind? Seems like, without sensation, he could step awkwardly and hurt himself further.
Acupunture may be useful for nerve damage.

[majxmom]

I have seen horses with DMSO IVs for neurological damage, so apparently it is helpful for that. But he will smell to high heaven, so be prepared. Phew! Also, they can taste it in their mouth a minute after you rub it on just like we can, and they don't like it any better. So be prepared for him to squirm a little bit when he sees it coming. It won't take long for him to make the association.

[Jean]

We had a yearling do something like this out in a pen. Turned her out and 5 minutes later looked at her and she was 3 legged lame. Would stand on leg if you put it under her but could not move it forward. Vet with x-rays confirmed nothing was broken, assumed nerve damage. Stall rest totally, after 3 days filly was able to move her leg forward enough 1-2 inches to move without hopping but generally hopping,after 1 wek able to move out of stall, but still confines just to clean stall, within 6 weeks able to start lomited exercise, hand walking and ton continue after 3 monthes freedom and on to a successful racing career. Good luck and don't give up. This filly was given no bute as she was apparently in no pain, just had to let nerves heal. Vet surmised that she fell or something like taht as no one saw what happened and the time period from when she was seen till when she was lame was so short.

[foothillsequine]

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for your responses. I am having x-rays done today, just to rule out a fracture. He is not splinted or wrapped as the area of injury seems to be in the elbow area. Acupuncture may indeed be something to look at.

He already knows the DMSO and it is sooo much fun getting that on him (smart little character). The DMSO IV will be the next step if there is no change in his condition by tomorrow. He does not appear to be in any pain--as evidenced by his attitude, appetite and no sweating, so maybe I should stop that? I am very heartened to hear Jean that your filly went on to race. How is she now, any residual problems?

We will do everything needed for this little guy, so I sure hope he can overcome, and also make it to the track.

[Tiz]

If you don't want to IV DMSO, you can put it in his water. Don't give him a full bucket with it, but a quarter full or so, until he drinks it all.

[LKR]

Do you have anyone in your area who does Accuscope Treatments? If you rule out a broken bone this is the way to go. It is incredible what the treatments can accomplish. PM me with your location and I will contact the person who does them in our area for a name of someone in your area that has one. Kathie

[foothillsequine]

I did not know you could give DMSO in water--thanks! But, the IV is being done today as there is a small improvement, but not much. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this helps.

Kathie, you have a pm.

[Tiz]

What is Accuscope?

[Tiz]

How's he doing, FHE?

[foothillsequine]

Hi Tiz, thanks for asking. He is much better! We did the IV DMSO on Friday, x-rays did not show a fracture, but we will do another set at the end of the week. He does have a very slight drag on that leg today, so I am still keeping my fingers crossed. He remains in very good spirits although not overly happy about stall rest. However, the weather here is so crappy that he is better off in his stall.

I will keep you all posted, and thanks again to all for your advice, I very much appreciate it. This colt has had a real rough start in life so I can only hope he continues to show such a strong will, and gets through this as well.

[Tiz]

I was hoping to hear that.

[Jean]

My best advice is keep up the stall confinement I know it seems odd but limiting their movement is the best thing we can do!