Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with unsteady walk due to neck issues
By Muirhead, Tammy et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2003·Department of Health Management·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles and atlanto-occipital dysplasia in a Belgian horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 14-month-old Belgian gelding was showing signs of severe ataxia, which means he was having trouble with coordination and balance. After he passed away, a detailed examination found that he had specific cartilage defects in the area where the skull meets the spine, a condition known as osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles, along with a related issue called atlanto-occipital dysplasia. This case is notable because it is the first time such cartilage problems have been linked to neurological symptoms in horses.
Abstract
A lesion in the cervical region of a 14-month-old Belgian gelding with severe ataxia was suspected. Necropsy revealed symmetric focal cartilage defects compatible with osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles and atlanto-occipital dysplasia. To our knowledge this is the first equine report of symmetrical osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles causing neurologic signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14703085/