Disaster strikes... poorly Bertie

22 December 2000
Well Christmas came and left early this year - I even think we managed to skip my birthday. Everything was going swimingly ... then after a jumping lesson with Bert and Geoorge I noticed that Bert was being clumsy with his treats. Confusion developed into mild panic as a droopy lip quickly evolved. The vet was called and Bert was given some antibiotics.

Mild panic degenerated into distress and gloom, when with no improvement we X-Rayed. Would you believe it, Bert has a hairline fracture on the off side of his nose. It appears that this has resulted in some nerve damage ... make that long term gloom.

Of course, during this time George was a tower of strength to Bert, and Bert wouldn't have 5 minutes without demanding George by his side.

On a positive note, the fracture should heal fine in six weeks at which point Bertie should be ridable again. The paralysis on the other hand, thats a different story ... I will let you know in about two years.

14 January 2001
His home is no fun for a sick horsey, for a start the grazing is a mud bath, so I have sent him to some friends for a couple of weeks to have some nice grass and a rest till he needs some more X-Rays.

31 January 2001
Bert and I are not having any luck. I went to get him and he was chronically lame on both back legs. I went back a couple of days later when he was better able to travel and brought him home. He is a very sorry little soul. To make matters worse, he also has some of the worst rain scald on his legs that you have ever seen. Almost all the hair on his legs has come away. It brings tears to my eyes.

Dispite everything he seems to be ok all things considred. He still whinnies after me, and his lip looks to be a bit better but I don't want to be overly optimistic.

19 March 2001
Well it has been almost three months since I last rode Bertie. And this weekend was the first time I have been on his back since this nasty incident started ... which is just as well as George has a bad back and needs 4 weeks off.

Anyway, we were referred to the Royal Veterinary College Equine Hospital by my Vet. Despite the dreaded foot an mouth decease that is plaguing the UK at the moment, we were given clearance to go to the Royal Veterinary College.

Oooo an outing...

Don't forget to clean between those toe nails ... don't want no foot an mouth round here!!!

I don't think I have ever been this popular ... ooo, thats a bit personal.

Well his teeth seem to work just fine ... can we have our tourch back please?

I feel very drowsy all of a sudden ...

One of the first test was to check for nerve damage in his guttural pouch with an endoscope up the nose.

We didn't find any evidence of brain cell habitation while we were there ... that must be closer to his stomach.

Normally I like notice of a photo shoot ... you know I am not at my best right now.

X-Ray time ... still no brain ... but yup, we were right the teeth look fine!!!

Ultrasound imaging eh ... no babies in there mate ... but my teeth work just fine :) While you are there with the clippers, my mane and forelock are getting a bit long, any chance of a trim?

These scans show Bert's left and right mandible. The last picture uses doppler effect to show blood flow.

Do you know your horses lip is wonky?
Is it time to go home yet ...

Conclusion:
It appears that the fracture that started this whole event off is not likely to have been the cause of the paralysis. The most likely cause of the paralysis seems to have been one of the leaver arms of the hackamore digging into the side of his mouth below the jaw line. When we shaved off the fur to do the Ultrasound, we found signs of slight swelling at just the same place as the hackemore lever rests - The motor nerves that feed the lower lip appear to run under this general area.

So ... after an expensive day playing with exciting medical equipment, probably the most useful tool in this case was a pair of clippers!!!

Bertie and I would like to thank all the wonderful people at the Royal Veterinary College Equine Hospital who were involved in his case for all their fantastic efforts, care and attention that was paid to him in his brief visit to them. We enjoyed our visit (except the thermometer bit - some privacy next time please) and are very grateful. Bert's only reservation is the lip still droops, but time will tell.

Thanks again!

Update:
It is now June 2001, and as far as I can see, Bert's lip has made a 100% recovery. All I can say is that Bert and I have been very lucky.