Jaw temporarily out of socket?

This is my thought too. Actually make it a point of carrying your phone so you have access to it when it happens again. A video will probably make things much easier for the vet to understand what you are seeing when it happens.

Thank you LCDR. Your description is very helpful. I will keep in mind that TMJ is an anatomical structure! Maybe that’s why the vet is not taking me seriously :slight_smile: I had no idea there were board certified equine dental specialists. I will research this in my area.

There are so many possibilities as to what is causing this horse’s behavior. I’m still convinced his “jaw” is involved. I don’t know how, but I know what I saw and it looked like his jaw locked open. When my jaw would do this it was not painful but was very worrying.

Ruth0552 and trubandloki, I agree, I need to whip out my phone. This would help diagnosis tremendously. The first time it happened I literally stood there with MY mouth open. After he stopped I took out my phone - no help at all :slight_smile:

I am keeping a diary, another great idea on your part. My first call was to my beloved farm vet. She said exactly the same thing. I will add what he was doing just before an episode, I didn’t think of that. Thinking back I believe he might have been contemplating eating. So yawning is likely. He’s a big yawner.

There’s a start, for sure. :smiley:

I’m sad to conclude the that Rowan, the horse for which I started this topic, was humanely euthanized this previous Sunday.

As the months progressed it became more and more apparent that he was having seizures, as many of you thought was the case.

We believe, based on fence damage, that the seizures became more frequent and more violent in the last month. I witnessed his last seizure on Saturday night, the decision to put him down was easy to make.

During this last seizure he was terrified. He was spinning and did not have any control over where he was going. I think he could hear me, but couldn’t change what his body was doing. It was sheer luck that he didn’t hurt himself.

I’ve taken care of many horses, both performance and pleasure horses for a very long time - this is the single most heartbreaking incident I’ve every seen. The fear in his eyes was devastating for me. The last time I saw an “episode” he seemed more confused than scared. This was so different.

I don’t know what lesson I’ve learned from this. We had hope up until last Saturday that we would find an explanation, be able to manage what ever was happening. He seemed more comfortable after the chiropractor adjusted him, she was coming back. If given the same set of facts I believe I would have done things much the same way, I don’t know where we could have made different decisions given what we witnessed.

Thank you all for your help and advice, it helped tremendously as we tried to find answers.

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Sorry to hear the news, but clearly the right decision.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

So very sorry for your loss.

What a sad update. So very sorry…

Hi all,

Thank you for replies and your compassion.

I hated to give the news but hope that it helps someone else and their horse. I’ve read so many forum topics that have helped me make decisions.

I’ve come to value the knowledge and compassion of this forum. It’s like having experienced, knowledgeable, generous and compassionate people in my barn.

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I am so sorry, but there is no doubt in my mind that euthanasia was the right call now.

Hugs,

Rebecca