Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse unsteady on all four legs - what could be wrong?
By Newton-Clarke, M J et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·1994·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ataxia due to a vertebral haemangiosarcoma in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse was diagnosed with a type of cancer called haemangiosarcoma, which caused problems with coordination in all four legs, a low head position, and difficulty bending its neck. To understand what was happening, the veterinarians performed tests that included checking the fluid around the spinal cord and taking X-rays of the neck. After the horse passed away, a tumor was discovered in the second cervical vertebra (the second bone in the neck) and nearby muscles, which was pressing on the spinal cord and causing further issues. A closer examination of the tumor confirmed it was indeed a haemangiosarcoma. Unfortunately, the outcome was not favorable due to the severity of the condition.
Abstract
A haemangiosarcoma in a horse resulted in ataxia affecting all four legs, a low head carriage and a reluctance to flex the neck. Ancillary diagnostic procedures included the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, standing lateral cervical radiographs and a myelogram. Post mortem a tumour was found which involved the body of the second cervical vertebra and the associated hypaxial muscles, with secondary intravertebral extradural infiltration and focal compressive myelopathy. A histological examination showed that the tumour was a haemangiosarcoma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7992476/