Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal can't stand or walk - what could be wrong?
By Louie, Elizabeth Williams et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Littleton Equine Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Complex central nervous system malformations in a Dutch Warmblood foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A newborn Dutch Warmblood colt was brought in because he couldn't stand and showed signs of incoordination and shaking. After a few days in the hospital, he showed some improvement, but still had neurological issues. An MRI revealed several serious brain malformations, including a cyst and other abnormalities. While the colt improved somewhat over the first six months, his chances of being a successful athlete are low. This case highlights that some foals can survive with complex brain issues, but many owners may choose euthanasia due to the poor outlook for performance.
People also search for: newborn foal unable to stand · Dutch Warmblood colt incoordination · foal neurological problems treatment
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 on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35362641/