Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with head tilt and facial paralysis - what to know
By Firth, E C·Published in Australian veterinary journal·1977·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Vestibular disease, and its relationship to facial paralysis in the horse: a clinical study of 7 cases.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving seven horses with vestibular disease, which affects balance and coordination, six of them showed signs like unsteady movements, tilting of the head, and rapid eye movements. The severity of these symptoms varied depending on how long the horse had been sick, and three of the horses also had facial paralysis, which means they couldn't move their face normally. X-rays revealed a condition called tympanosclerosis, which is a hardening in the ear area, in all the horses that were examined. Most of the cases were linked to trauma, or injury, but the exact cause of the tympanosclerosis remains unclear. Overall, the study highlights the connection between vestibular disease and facial paralysis in horses, but it does not provide a definitive solution to the underlying causes.
Abstract
The signs observed in 6 cases of peripheral vestibular disease included incoordination, head tilt and nystagmus. The intensity of the signs varied greatly with duration of the disease, and in 3 cases facial paralysis was also present. Tympanosclerosis was demonstrable in all cases subject to radiology. Trauma was the causative factor in most cases. The causes of, and relationships between, vestibular dysfunction and concomitant facial paralysis are discussed. The exact etiology of the tympanosclerosis is unknown.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/306818/