First, before I go into history my mare has been seen by my vet, tests are ordered, and next steps would be going to UC Davis. I’m looking for thoughts from others who have gone through something similar to make sure as I go through the process I don’t miss any questions I could be asking. If it wasn’t my horse, I would say this a super interesting case. So, here we go…
I have the mare that never does anything halfway with her health. We are either 100% good to go or it’s something super bizarre. A week ago she presented with what could have been choke or could have been a bee, spider, or wasp sting in her mouth.
I was cleaning stalls and had just given supplements when she went NQR. She was making a sucking motion with her mouth. It looked like her tongue was swelling. She was wild-eyed but allowed me to stick my entire hand in her mouth to clear out debris. Note she never lets me do that if she is healthy. Vet came out for an emergency call within an hour. Sedated, a full inspection was done including using a speculum to get up in the mouth. No sign of puncture wounds. No bumps. Just the strange sucking behavior and she was clearly having swallowing issues. Dex and Banamine were given. Noticeable improvement that night and the next day.
The night after the horse had an elevated temp (101.4) and was NQR. Consulted with the vet, Banamine given. All was well. Somewhere in the next 5 days (maybe the next day) I did see here take a large mouthful of hay and have it get a little stuck. She put her head down and backed up, but cleared it. I assumed the mouth/tongue/throat was a little sore from a bite and she was reacting to that.
Sunday I go out to clean and feed in the morning. She had unilateral facial paralysis on the right side of her face. No signs of trauma (we will get to that in a bit). Vet was called immediately and she came right out. Took blood. We opted to only do a standard panel to make sure we did not overload with info. I know you all are thinking EPM… we will get there. Dex and Banamine given again. The horse was almost immediately more comfortable. She was able to eat again. Sticking and dunking her muzzle in water provided clear relief. The Vet said she had feeling in her face, so the paralysis was more motor-related. Still trying to figure out that comment…
The paralysis involves her left ear, eye, tongue, and lip. She is getting ointment to keep that eye moist as she can not totally close the lid and there is a lack of tears
This morning, no noticeable improvement. If I want to make myself feel better I would tell you her ear is maybe moving a little and she seems to be able to close the eye a little more. If I’m honest, it sucks and there is no change. The vet is coming out to do a neuro panel today. Onwards with the EPM, Lyme, West Nile, Herpes blood work. I’m all for running tests, but sometimes I go one thing at a time so we don’t get too many results that confuse the info coming in.
Other things to consider:
- The horse is not lame
- There are no wobbling, tripping, or gait abnormalities
- It was a sudden onset both times
- There is no topline wasting
- There is no depression
- There have been no mood changes
- The horse has not been acting out during groundwork or under saddle
- The night before the first episode the almond orchard next to us sprayed and it was the worst drift I have ever experienced. I have all the spray tank content info.
- The night before the facial paralysis, they sprayed again, although not as close
- The horse was housed for six years at two barns next to or close to a horse who was diagnosed with EPM, or at least had the test, was positive for antibodies, was treated, and subsequently euthanized for DSLD issues and unspecified motor problems.
- The horse lives at home. I have never seen a possum here, although my neighbor claims to have one in their yard.
- Six years ago she had a rotational fall trying to escape an arena and landed very slowly, but did land on her head/neck
- There is no trauma that I can see, but I do have a video of her the night before (3am) banging her head behind her left ear, about the time they were spraying, but her face was fine. By 9 AM she had the paralysis.
