Signs of head trauma in horses full#

The first thing your veterinarian will do is make sure your horse is in a safe location and stop any active bleeding or seizures. Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury in HorsesĪ traumatic brain injury needs to be treated quickly and aggressively.

Radiographs of the skull are used to identify fractures, abnormal pockets of air surrounding the skull, or blood in the sinus cavities.Īn endoscopy will look in the guttural pouches for bleeding. If the horse cannot be transported, tests that may help diagnose a traumatic brain injury that can be done in the field setting include radiographs and upper airway endoscopy. Your veterinarian can help you make the best decision based on your horse’s health. A horse that is already having neurological problems from a traumatic brain injury may have increased difficulty recovering from general anesthesia or sedation. Second, consideration for these tests must be taken into account since both require either general anesthesia or sedation. Your veterinarian will determine if the horse is safe enough to travel in a trailer to an equine hospital. Though these tests are ideally taken in the event of a TBI, it is not always possible to do so. These tests must be performed in an equine hospital. It is also the best tool to look at damage done to the nerves and blood vessels within the brain. It will also look at the bones in the head and neck to identify fractures.Īn MRI performed 24 to 72 hours after a traumatic brain injury will look for secondary swelling and inflammation in and around the brain. In order to make a definitive diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, your horse needs to have a computed tomography (CT), and possibly a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed.Ī CT scan performed within the first 24 hours from injury will identify damage to the brain tissue by looking for bruises on the brain. They may suspect a traumatic brain injury if they see any of the clinical signs listed above and it fits with the history.

Signs of head trauma in horses full#

How Veterinarians Diagnose Traumatic Brain Injury in HorsesĪs with all equine medical conditions, your veterinarian will take a history and perform a full physical exam. Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Horses If you see your horse experience a traumatic event and are unsure if it caused TBI, call your veterinarian immediately. Lying down and not wanting to get up ( down horse) Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury in Horses Trauma is always linked with TBI in a horse. The difference with TBI is that it’s caused by a sudden trauma event, whereas other neurologic problems may be caused by infections, toxins, or congenital diseases. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may appear similar to symptoms of other neurological diseases. Be sure to exercise caution around your horse as they may be unstable and unpredictable at this time. If it can be done safely, move your horse to a cool, clean, and padded area. If you suspect your horse may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, call your veterinarian immediately. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is trauma to a horse’s head that results in damage to any part of the brain, including the blood vessels and nerves within the brain.

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury in Horses?