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Neurology: post-foaling paralysis
Introduction
- An infrequent sequel to foaling of hindlimb weakness through to paralysis.
- Cause: compression of the nerves within the pelvic canal of the mare during parturition.
- Signs: mild stiffness to paraplegia.
- Diagnosis: history of parturition/dystocia and clinical signs.
- Treatment: anti-inflammatory and supportive therapy.
- Prognosis: fair - 50% recover in days/weeks.
Presenting signs
- Range of hindlimb involvement from mild stiffness to paraplegia.
Acute presentation
- Recumbency and inability to stand after parturition.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Small cross-bred mares: the use of a large-sized breed sire on a small-sized dam can → large-sized foal at birth.
Cost considerations
- Prolonged supportive care may be required if recumbent for a long period which can be costly.
- Complications arise from prolonged recumbency and the mare has to be euthanized.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Compression of the mares obturator nerve during parturition.
Specific
- Dystocia Reproduction: dystocia .
- Large-sized foal.
- Malformed foal Hydrocephalus .
- Narrow pelvic canal in mare.
- Prolonged parturition.
Pathophysiology
- Various nerves within the pelvic canal are vulnerable to compression from bony parts of the foal during parturition:
- The obturator nerve ( → adductor muscles of thigh) as it courses along the medial aspect of the shaft of the ilium.
- A nervous web which lies against the ventral aspect of the sacrum giving rise to the following nerves:
- Sciatic ( → main extensor muscles of hip and flexors of stifle).
- Cranial gluteal.
- Caudal gluteal.
- Rarely the femoral nerves ( → major extensor muscles of stifle) can be involved by hemorrhage in and around them.
- Dystocia may or may not have occurred.
- Unilateral or bilateral limb involvement.
- Depending on the severity of the nerve/nerve root damage, the full range of hindlimb involvement from mild stiffness to paralysis may be caused.
Timecourse
- The onset of signs is immediately following or within a few hours after parturition.
- Duration of signs varies with the degree of nerve damage from days to weeks.
- The mare may remain recumbent for several weeks.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Hahn C H, Mayhew I G & Mackay R J (1999) Nervous System: diseases of the Peripheral (Spinal) Nerves. In: Equine Medicine and Surgery. Eds: Colahan P T, Mayhew I G, Merritt A M & Moore J N. Mosby Inc, USA. pp 978-979. ISBN: 0815117434.