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  Discussion on Seizure, HYPP or ?
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New Member:
Geronimo

Posted on Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 - 12:21 pm:

Last Monday my 7 year old Arab Quarter had what appears to be a seizure. He was being ridden by my trainer. They were working moderately, riding along a trail at the training facility. My horse, Geronimo, bolted forward as if he were scared, bitten, electrocuted or whatever. He then went to his knees on all fours, with the trainer on his back. The trainer was trying to make him get up, but jumped off of Geronimo as he felt the horse stiffening up and falling to his side. Geronimo's legs went stiff and he began to scream- as the trainer described. ( Not a moan or heavy breathing but a scared scream). During this 2 minute episode, the trainer was looking for what might be causing the problem, a bee's nest, a snake, anything that could be hurting him, he uncinched the saddled. My horses eyes rolled back and the trainer wasn't sure if he would even live. But... thank God, Geronimo came out of it, got up and while shaken was able to be led away. The trainer walked him out of the area and walked him around and after 15-20 minutes saddled him up again and did some light training just to keep him walking. My horse recovered from whatever it was. I called a Vet and they did not come out, they felt if he was acting normal, pulse ok, no sweating, etc., that they did not need to come out. I did have a Vet that was visiting the ranch look at him that evening and she checked his eyes, resp., pulse and thought he was fine. However, when I arrived at the ranch eariler that day, about two hours after it happened, I saw that my horse was nervous/stressed. He wasn't sweating or breathing hard, but his body seemed tense, muscles tight and veins seemed more visible. The next day he was softer to touch and though a little jumpy, much calmer than the pervious day.
Geronimo did not seem tired the next day, in fact the trainer said that he had more energy than normal.
The ranch owner check his property as we first felt that maybe my horse was electrocuted by an underground wire. However, I have been informed that, while there is an electic pole near where the incident occurred, it did not test as having any type of problem.
I have found a Vet, actually my previous Vet, and we set up an appointment for a full physical with blood work. In the meantime I sent mane and tail hair samples,( with roots attached) to Davis for HYPP DNA testing. I have no idea if Geronimo has Impressive in his bloodline, but I want to rule it out.
I'm wondering if you or any of your readers have experienced anything as I described above. Any suggestions on what I might do while I wait for test results, is appreciated.
Thanks, Lisa
Member:
Chance1

Posted on Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 - 9:39 pm:

Hi Lisa,
There's a QH mare at our barn (no Impressive blood) who has been having seizures for the past two to three years. I have seen 7 of them, so we know she's likely had many more than that. She's been to UC Davis for testing and they did find some irregular brain waves, but no other abnormalaties, nor any cause. She is on Pheobarbital which makes her "DrOwsy" all the time. She had a seizure the day after she came back from Davis and she was on her meds. This seizure was different in that it was subdued compared to prior seizures, but this one seemed to leave a lasting symptom. She's become very unsteady in her hindquarters. She is no longer ridden since there seems to be no warning and it could certainly be very dangerous for her and her rider if she had one while being ridden. Your trainer was very lucky to have been able to get off without any injury to Geronimo or themselves. The mare at our barn tends to start spinning on her hindquarters then falls down and gets up on the wobbly side. After 10-15 minutes, you'd never know anything happened, unless she spins into something, which has happened. She's taken out a fence and a gate during one of her seizures and needed a few stitches. None of the vets around here (including Davis) have ever seen a seizure in a horse. They apparently are not that common and it's unusual to actually see one. I will be very interested to hear the results of Geronimo's tests. I hope they find something simple and treatable. My thoughts are with you and Geronimo.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2004 - 9:57 am:

Hello Lisa,
This sounds like a grand-mal seizure. Seizures are pretty common in horses and Arabs a bit predisposed. If you back up to the aticle page you will see we have a number of memebers whose horses have seizures and they talk extensively about their individual experiences. The article addresses diagnosis, causes, and treatment.
DrO
Member:
Geronimo

Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2004 - 11:26 pm:

Thank you Ruth and Dr. Oglesby for your response. I will look back at the other postings for more information on treatment. I'll keep you informed on how the HYPP results come out.
Lisa
Member:
Geronimo

Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 8:21 pm:

Geronimos HYPP test came back from Davis as Negative. This is of course great news, however I still don't really know what happened to my horse. He is having a physical and bloodwork on the 15th of September so perhaps that will offer some explaination. In the meantime, he seems healthy and has been acting normal.
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