Late yesterday afternoon Jodie called from the welcome center to say she and Gloria had just found blind Nikki suddenly acting like Copper Kid, our neurologically impaired "wobbler" horse. What?!? I was on a videoconference with Alison, our development director in Helena, so I hurriedly signed off, suited up and raced out. Nikki was still in the corral, standing stiffly. I asked Gloria to help move her while I stood back to watch, but it was clear Nikki didn't want to move. We finally got her going, and I was stunned to see our beloved little 4-year old filly dragging her hooves, swaying, and looking like she had no idea where her feet were. We pushed on her to go back, but she planted her rear feet widely and wouldn't budge. Oh, no.
My first thought was that she indeed looked and acted like a wobbler. Copper Kid was three when he developed his symptoms. Could we really end up with two wobblers?
I called our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor, from the corral. Being a wise sort, she immediately realized I needed more "treatment" than Nikki did at the moment, and proceeded to explain why it was very unlikely Nikki was a wobbler. Generally wobblers start showing their symptoms gradually and then progressively become worse with time. Just the day before, Nikki had been bucking and kicking and racing around the corral. So it would have been unusual -- to say the least -- that she could have become a wobbler in 24 hours.
Instead, the wise doctor suggested, it was more likely Nikki had suffered some kind of trauma that interfered with her nervous system. Yet there were no bent corral panels, no marks or swelling on Nikki, and nothing else I could see to indicate any injury. But Erin walked me through the possibilities. As an example, she mentioned the brachial plexus, an area near the shoulder where a network of major nerves comes together. Erin said that if Nikki had slipped and done "the splits" with her front legs, or just slipped and shot her leg out at an awkward angle, this could have damaged the brachial plexus ... and that could explain a good part of what we were seeing. And if Nikki had fallen in the process and tweaked her spine, this could affect the nerves running to her hind legs and thus explain the ataxia we were seeing there.
In a snow-covered corral with a frisky blind filly acting like a bucking bronc, that kind of major wipeout could well be possible!
This graphic shows the brachial plexus ... all those yellow lines are the nerves:
Nikki was too unstable to transport to the hospital last night, so Erin told me to go ahead and do the same two things she would do anyway: inject Nikki with a whopping IV dose of dexamethasone (steroids) and an IV dose of banamine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and see how she was in the morning. Gloria and Jodie gently moved Nikki out of the corral and into her stall in Lena's Barn while I went to the house to get the drugs and load the syringes. I gave Nikki the injections, called Erin to report in, and she asked me to call her again about 9 p.m. with an update.
Erin's colleague, Dr. Angela Langer, was already scheduled to come out to the ranch this afternoon, so we knew Angela would be able to do an exam when she arrived today.
By this morning Nikki was walking in her stall -- that was an improvement! -- but still dragging her feet some and looking unsure in her movements. Erin had me give her another round of the dex and banamine, and then wait for Angela's assessment.
And that's what you see in the photo at the top of this post ... Angela is examining Nikki outside Lena's Barn. Angela's mom, Anne C. who is visiting from California, is holding Nikki for her. By this afternoon, Nikki had dramatically improved ... I couldn't believe the difference when I walked her out of the stall for Angela to examine. Angela concluded that Nikki likely had suffered the very scenario Erin had described, and that we should continue with the current treatment, but begin tapering off the doses. Needless to say, we were much relieved by Nikki's progress and the diagnosis!
Here's another shot of Angela, Anne and our prize filly after the exam:
What a shock of concern BUT with immediate attention and wonderful care; Nikki sounds like she's almost like her normal self again. I'm so happy for that!
Posted by: Boundforglory | January 28, 2008 at 09:41 AM
First of all, it's hard to believe that's a Mother/Daughter combo ! Much more like Sisters !
Nikki is stunning and so lucky to have such incredible caretakers !
I love learning so much about animal behavior and medical mysteries being solved every day, it seems !!
Posted by: Bibi | January 24, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Glad that Nikki is getting better! What a scare!! This was a wonderful post, thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Janey Loree | January 24, 2008 at 05:03 PM
You're such a good daddy! Loved how upset you were. Loved even more hearing that Nikki is improving. Can anything be put on the ground to help prevent slipping and sliding? Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Mircat | January 24, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Nikki...You scared the bajebbies (sp?) out of me!!! Hope you are feeling better and no more horse play with Cash who no doubt was in on the rough housing!!!
Posted by: Laura | January 24, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I'm so glad to hear Nikki's emergency has passed. Does that little beauty have Warmblood in her? Her feet look like Warmblood feet.
Posted by: Janet | January 24, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Can you hear my sigh of relief all the way from Italy?:-)
I look forward to more good news about Nikki. In the meantime, thank you for the great photos of Angela, Anne and Nikki against such a glorious backdrop!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | January 24, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Wow. Good for you guys. The blind horses story is amazing. Your whole thing is amazing. I will link the blog because I think you guys need to have more visitors than you got today.
Posted by: Abraham Lincoln | January 24, 2008 at 04:45 AM
thank goodness nikki seems to be doing better. im sure she gave you quite a scare! and that goldie is certainly a little stuffie monster, isn't she??!
Posted by: maggie | January 24, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Thank goodness you are so on top of each and every family member at RDR. Thank you too for sharing all the details with those of us who really care. Montana is beautiful in the winter.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | January 24, 2008 at 12:23 AM
What a beautiful girl,second only to Lena!! I really hope the people that wanted to 'donate' her can see what they are missing. One day I can only hope to have a horse again like her! Stay warm, originally from Minnesota so I know what your kind of cold is like. :O)
Posted by: Michele, Rick, Stinger, Lil Guy, Digger, Spaz(cats) and Lucky, Jester, Bobo(dogs) | January 23, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Wow, what a scare for this beauty. Fortunately, you guys were right there for her, as always. So relieved to hear that she is responding well, keep us posted. AND thanks for the glorious photos. I am so jealous of your snow!!
RDR Rocks!
Posted by: Jane Tunnicliff | January 23, 2008 at 10:01 PM