Wobbler's Syndrome?

[jackie]

Our poor mare (2yr old) who I have started a thread as she has Salmonella could possibly have Wobbler's Syndrome, the vet will look further when she is fully recovered.

Is there a cure for Wobbler's?, I was told that you can operate but it is a major op, and she isn,t insured.

I am concerned as I feel that once she is over the Salmonella she could end up being PTS because of the Wobbler's??

[melissa]

How awful for you.
Sorry, I don't know much about wobblers but there was a French pony with wobblers that was rescued and homed in Ireland - Tia knows more than I do, maybe you could pm her. Wish you all the best.

[jackie]

Thank you melissa i will

[suewhitmore]

Jackie,

Wobblers syndrome is usually caused by damage or abnormal growth of the cervical (neck) vertebrae. It can be diagnosed quite easily with neck x rays. One of the symptons is ataxia, that is, the inability to balance due to foot and leg dragging. However, horses that are seriously ill from other causes can also display this.

I have first hand experience - my stallion was seriously ill with an acute liver disease, he displayed ataxia to such an extent that we thought he had wobblers. He was admitted as an emergency to Rossdales and checked for this, we thought we were going to lose him. However, the ataxia turned out to be due to his extreme weakness from the liver disease.

There is an explanation on this link:
horses-ponies.co.uk/a_horses-wobbler.asp

[Azrael]

Wobblers is very difficult to treat, expensive operation which doesn't always work IIRC. But don't panic until recovered from current thing and properly tested.

I had a suspected wobbler and she isn't, she has plenty of other problems with her back end but it isn't wobblers just looked a bit similar and she should be rideable, at least for the kind of hacking and playing that I do.

[jackie]

Thankyou Sue and Melanie, I hope that the fact she is so poorly with the Salmonella that is the reason she is giving symptons for Wobblers. x

[maxim]

Poor you Jackie.

We had a 6yr old gelding diagnosed with Wobbler's Syndrome a couple of years ago. He was the sweetest horse and it seemed the most unkind thing to happen to him. We chose not to operate on him because a) he had just got over an operation for a kissing spine b) we were told there was only a small chance of the operation doing any good and c) he would have a home with us for life whether we could ride him or not. Unfortunatly a few months after he was diagnosed with Wobblers he got down in the field with colic and never got up

My post has probably put even more of a downer on things for you, sorry. Just want to wish you and your horse the very best of luck, keep us updated.

[ellibell]

Dont panic until you hve a definate diagnosis.I have known of some babies who grew so fast, showed signs of wobblers,got turned away until 4 to 5 yrs old and where fine.

[jaxnbreeze]

My horse was a suspected wobbler before I had her( she was about 3 yo)but she may have had an accident and, thankfully, she is OK now. Good luck with your young mare.