Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Complex central nervous system malformations in a Dutch Warmblood foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Louie, Elizabeth Williams et al.
- Affiliation:
- Littleton Equine Medical Center · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A young Dutch Warmblood colt was having trouble standing, was uncoordinated, and had shaking movements. During his first four days in the hospital, he showed some signs of improvement, but he still had neurological problems. An MRI scan revealed several serious brain issues, including a cyst-like growth and other malformations. While the colt did improve somewhat in the first six months, his chances of being able to perform athletically are not good. This case highlights that some foals can survive with complex brain problems, but many are euthanized due to the poor outlook for their future performance.
Abstract
A neonatal Dutch Warmblood colt was evaluated for inability to stand, incoordination and intention tremor. Despite partial improvement in clinical signs during the first 4 days of hospitalization, neurological deficits remained. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a unilateral infratentorial arachnoid cyst-like lesion with ipsilateral compression and displacement of the cerebellar hemisphere, absent corpus collosum, polymicrogyria, suspect leukoencephalopathy, and noncompressive occipitoatlantal malformation. Improvement in clinical signs during the first 6 months of life suggests that horses can survive with complex congenital neurological malformations, but prognosis for athletic performance is poor. The accessibility of magnetic resonance imaging should improve the diagnostic accuracy of central nervous system disorders in neonatal foals in which congenital malformations are suspected. Euthanasia often is elected in foals with suspected congenital central nervous system disorders because of poor prognosis for athletic performance, limiting understanding of clinical progression in these cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35362641/