Timmy and Smokey Get Checked Out

Our two new arrivals saw their respective vets today.

This morning I took Timmy the paralyzed black Lab to our specialist in Missoula, Dr. Dave Bostwick, for an evaluation.  Dave concluded that Timmy's problem is neurological in origin and that he didn't have any form of muscular dystrophy.  He also doubted that Timmy had cerebellar hypoplasia because he doesn't have any of the signs typically associated with the condition.  Dave believes Timmy's neurological problem is either in the brain or possibly in the neck (i.e., nerve damage), but not farther down his spine.

To get any more detailed answers would require an MRI at Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman.  An MRI might reveal the nature and location of the problem, and only then would we even know if anything could be done surgically ... but it's not likely.  We decided to think about this over Thanksgiving and talk with Dave again next week.

Although I had the camera in the truck, I forgot to take it into the clinic for the exam (dang!), so the photo of Timmy is one I took on Sunday. 

This afternoon our equine vet, Dr. Bill Brown, came out to the ranch to examine Smokey, the old blind mare who also arrived on Saturday.  He started with a complete eye exam.  In the first photo Bill's using an ophthalmoscope.  He found that Smokey is centrally blind, i.e., the main optic nerve is not functioning.  She does not show any signs of uveitis, the type of inflammations that frequently lead to blindness in horses. 

In the second photo, Bill is using the Tono-Pen to measure her intraocular pressure.  Her right eye appeared to have glaucoma, while the left eye shown here did not.  As it turned out, her right eye had an above-normal intraocular pressure that would indicate a mild case of glaucoma.  Her left eye was within the normal range for intraocular pressure.  Both findings were consistent with the appearance of each eye.

The strange thing is that in horses glaucoma is usually secondary to some other ocular disease, like uveitis.  Yet Smokey does not have any other eye diseases.  How she went centrally blind is a mystery.  Our other centrally blind horses, like Lena, lost their vision to trauma.  With no history on Smokey, we can only guess.

Next came the dental work.  Smokey's teeth were a disaster!  Worn down, jagged, and hardly able to grind food.  No wonder her mouth squeaked when she tried to eat.  Old horses often have bad teeth (many horses never get dental work at all), and Smokey's were worse that most.  In this photo Bill is doing the initial dental exam.  The metal device you see is a speculum, which holds the horse's mouth open (allowing the arm to be safely inserted!).  Then he floated -- filed down -- and aligned Smokey's teeth and extracted a bad tooth. 

We also drew blood for a complete profile and chem panel.  Initial results should be in late tomorrow.  Finally Bill trimmed Smokey's overgrown hooves.  (It's great to have a vet who can do farrier work, too!)

All in all, it took about 2 hours to do everything that Smokey needed.  When he was done, Bill turned to me and said, "That horse is going to be feel a heck of a lot better now.  I know we really did her some good today."

(Click on photos for larger image.)

Comments

[Karen SA/TX]

Boy, you have really found a great vet in Dr. Brown....
All that work in 2 hours! Amazing, this poor horse had to suffer so long for this important care, that took such a short time to bring comfort.

[ginger & Tobias]

Sending warm thoughts of a nice Thanksgiving to all at the wonderful Rolling Dog Ranch! We are certain that each and every critter there is thankful to be in such a fantastic place with all the great love and care.

[Leigh]

My heart goes out Timmy. I know you will do what is best for him.

Smokey must be feeling much better. Thanks for your good care for all the creatures.