Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fibrocartilaginous Emboli in a 15-Year-Old Pony Mare.
- Journal:
- Veterinary medicine and science
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Kyle-LaBell, Elizabeth et al.
- Affiliation:
- Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 15-year-old pony mare was diagnosed with a condition called fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE), which affects the spinal cord. She experienced focal seizures and was unable to stand for about 12 hours before being euthanized. A detailed examination of her spinal cord showed severe damage and the presence of material that indicated a cartilaginous substance, which is typical for this condition. This case highlights the specific signs and findings associated with FCE. Unfortunately, the treatment options were not effective, leading to her euthanasia.
Abstract
Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE) was diagnosed in a 15-year-old pony mare by histopathologic examination of the spinal cord. The horse was euthanized and submitted for necropsy following focal seizures and lateral recumbency for approximately 12 h. Histopathology of spinal cord segments C5-C7 revealed severe ischemic myelomalacia with intravascular amorphous material that stained positive with Alcian Blue, consistent with cartilaginous matrix. These features in addition to the acute onset of clinical signs are characteristic for FCE. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of a horse with an FCE with confirmation via histochemical staining.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41236494/