Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case of equine motor neuron disease (EMND).
- Journal:
- The Journal of veterinary medical science
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Sasaki, Naoki et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science · Japan
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A heavy horse from Hokkaido, Japan, was diagnosed with equine motor neuron disease (EMND), which affects the nerves controlling movement. The horse showed serious symptoms, including difficulty walking (ataxia) in all four legs, a tilted head, low energy, and droopy lips. Tests revealed damage to nerve cells in specific areas of the brain and spinal cord. Based on the symptoms and the findings from these tests, the diagnosis of EMND was confirmed.
Abstract
We report a case of EMND in a heavy horse that was bred and trained in Hokkaido, Japan. Clinical symptoms included severe ataxia of all four limbs, tilted head, lethargy, and flaccid lips. Numerous axonal degenerations and swellings were observed in nuclei, mostly in the cerebellar dentate nucleus and the nucleus of the hypoglossal nerve, and in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. In the ventral horn of the spinal cord, neuronal degeneration, swelling, and/or necrosis were observed sporadically. The case was diagnosed as EMND from the clinical symptoms and pathological findings.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17213712/