Neurology

The most common neurological condition of the horse is cervical stenotic myelopathy (Wobblers) but bacterial and viral infections, metabolic disorders (such as liver failure), seizures and trauma can cause life threatening neurological disease. Another common neurological disease is headshaking often caused by disease of the trigeminal nerve.

Investigations can include clinical and neurological examination, blood tests, radiographs and endoscopy and sampling of the cerebrospinal fluid. We have CCTV in our stables allowing for close monitoring of these horses and evaluation of abnormal behaviour.

Management of head shaking can be challenging and often this is a diagnosis of elimination. Control of the clinical signs has been helped in some cases using electroacupuncture. This involves applying low level electrical current to the abnormal nerve to de-sensitise. The initial course is 3 treatments a week – 10 days apart.