tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post114557403855871361..comments2023-07-22T06:31:19.145-07:00Comments on The Horse Doctor: Headshaking Syndrome....Just the factsDr. Alan Weldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02043104329444573626noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-25642828742879017372015-03-24T11:49:04.833-07:002015-03-24T11:49:04.833-07:00Hello, I know that this may be an old post but I a...Hello, I know that this may be an old post but I am hoping you still keep up with it. I have an 18 year old Oldenburg chestnut mare that I have owned for three years now. 9 months out of the year she is down in Kentucky while I am at school and is out on pasture for most of the day and comes in at night to around 6 flakes of hay to munch. During the summer, I take her home to Chicago where she is only on hay and grain and in a stall for most of the day due to no pastures on the property. Last year, I was at a different barn and she was out at night and in during the day and have never experienced this. This year, she is out during the day and in at night. When she is out, she has the option of hay or grass and she will switch off. Outside she is fine. But once she is in a stall and munching on hay ONLY (grain and treats do not affect her) she begins to shake her head vertically and try to itch her nose on her leg as if the hay is tickling her with every bite. Once the hay is in her mouth, she stops. It is only when she has strands hanging out. However, if she eats small enough pieces, it does not seem to bug her and when I hand feed her hay that I have folded into a tight ball she is okay. It worries me because she just started doing this back in January for the first time after I started treating her for a back problem. At first I thought it was the medicine I had her on and she developed an allergic reaction because once she was off of it, the shaking had stopped. But a few days ago, she randomly started up again, this time not on medicine. She gets a powder in the mornings I ride her but she was not on that the day she started and the week before, she was not expressing any signs of irritation during dinner while taking the powder in the mornings. She gets ridden about 4-5 days a week, light to moderate depending on her temperament that day, and is never moody. She loves her ears scratched and she likes the sides of her mouth curried. We are currently learning dressage after being a jumper for many years. Riding wise, there is no head shaking, no itching, no discomfort. Only when eating hay during dinner. I do not know if it's just the batch of hay that is in right now, or if she is allergic to something. It hurts me to see her try to eat her dinner during these episodes. She's very willing to eat it, but after a few bites she gets very weary of the hay. I was hoping someone could help. The vet is coming out, hopefully tomorrow, to check up on her. Katherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-31306911324918807882013-06-18T15:00:14.274-07:002013-06-18T15:00:14.274-07:00Another headshaker here. 12 yr old ex race horse. ...Another headshaker here. 12 yr old ex race horse. He flicks his head upwards and the front legs stomp. This only happens when being worked or on the lunge. I've not noticed him doing this in the paddock. I ride with a nose net and this seems to fix the problem but I cannot compete with it on so competitions become a waste of time. Any suggestions what might be causing it? A vet came and did an examination a few yrs ago and ruled out light sensitivity and said allergies but we've tried all allergy and cortisone treatment available with no success. Chiropractor treatment seems to help for a few rides only. He does this all year round, rain hail or shine.<br /><br />Also I've heard there is an injection that is proving success with headshaker. It's 3 injections over 3 months. I don't know it's name and don't know a lot about it as yet but if this sounds familiar to u, are you able to provide further information and its success??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-20054311611396979102013-05-25T07:12:52.336-07:002013-05-25T07:12:52.336-07:00I have a 7 yr old I also bought in the winter and ...I have a 7 yr old I also bought in the winter and now that it is spring and summer he has the headshaking ...I purchased this to show AQHA current from a AQHQ judge and so called AQHA horseman of the year...Yea, don't really want to go there...My Vet wants to but my horse on cyproheptidine..but I can't show with that..so Is there anything out there that you can show on?? Are do I have a yard ornament? a 17.5 hands appendix out of Coats and tails ornament...I need helpCindynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-16894591982588803112013-03-17T09:58:05.476-07:002013-03-17T09:58:05.476-07:00I am a small animal veterinarian and my personal h...I am a small animal veterinarian and my personal horse has recently developed head shaking syndrome. I would appreciate any information you can give me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-71822983095409636602012-12-02T17:23:54.363-08:002012-12-02T17:23:54.363-08:00I have been thinking possibly could it be an elect...I have been thinking possibly could it be an electrical imbalance. All that being said, the meds did help. And the light does bother mine at least. Oddly mine is chestnut also with a large blaze. Thank you for your information. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12868703644619540660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-35396958073450112462012-05-24T09:17:00.932-07:002012-05-24T09:17:00.932-07:00I bred and raised my Morgan Mare who is now 8 yrs ...I bred and raised my Morgan Mare who is now 8 yrs old.<br />Classy is my 3rd generation foal and I have never had or seen a head shaker before. Last year there was an <br />out break of Rhino and we vaccinated all the horses in the barn. I have a boarding and training stable so we<br />are very careful not to spread or share potential illness.<br />A couple weeks after her vaccination she started kicking her stall walls and being basically a brat under saddle.<br />Had the vet look at her teeth and a chiro adjust her. We also have a chiro who works on our <br />horses and with her second visit we (trainer, chiro & myself) were standing there watching her and talking about<br />what her attitude maybe from and she started bouncing her nose. I had never seen it before but the our Chiro had. Classy has always been on a grass hay or grass mix, orchard or timothy grown in the same valley the<br />last couple of years. I tried the magnesium, melatonin, lysine, and also had her on a clay for possible ulcers.<br />None of these has really worked, also she was moved to a dark stall and wears a face mask. The kicking<br />has stopped but not the "tick". Also she usually does well under saddle although we don't ride her much anymore. Classy is not out on pasture either so it's not a grass issue. I cut out all other supplements and she is not on grain. I know that you said it was not related to the rhino vaccine but that is when everything started. I need to find another vet as this one has said he will call something in to the pharmacy twice now and hasnt followed though...Jeannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-17230857616831574742012-04-29T19:47:24.061-07:002012-04-29T19:47:24.061-07:00I have a 10 year old thouroughbred that has a terr...I have a 10 year old thouroughbred that has a terrible habbit of head tossing. I have tried so many things to fix it because its just a nightmare! He hasnt always done it, he has only recently started doing it again. He stopped for a while and we thought we had solved the problem because we had the saddles re fitted as he was pulling up sore in his back. He wasnt great strate away but about a couple of months ago i had him going around like a school horse. Just lately he has been absolutly shocking with his head and its causing me so much stress and worry. At my last event, the dressage was horrible. We took him to morphett ville vets to get him checked out because one of our friends had a horse with the same symtoms. There horse ended up having a problem with one of its hocks which was making him nappy and uncooperative in work. He also had a sore back as he was compensating for his hock. They got him cortizone injections put into his hocks every 12 months and he was fine and went on doing grade 1 eventing. So we thought we might have the same issue. So we took him and the vets said he is showing sighns of disconfort in his hocks. They took exrays and he showed slight signs of atheritus. So we had the cortizones put in.<br />I have ridden him twice since, yesterday and the day before and he is still doing the head tossing as if there are flys annoying him or somthing, but there was no flyes? its unexplainable and im so frustrated by it! I dont know what else to do. HELP PLEASE!<br /><br />Thankyou, Emily.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-44487752787454231292012-03-20T17:09:39.956-07:002012-03-20T17:09:39.956-07:00I have a 9 yr thbd that I have had for 6 years.She...I have a 9 yr thbd that I have had for 6 years.She exhibited headshaking last Feb was treated with dex for a few days which didnt seem to help.The symptoms went away totally within a few weeks.They returned at exactly the same time this year while being vetted.They think she is a headshaker but offered no real treatment/solutions.She is the same whether dark/sunny etc.Does not use her run in shed or other horses tails.Lives out 24-7.It does not affect her being ridden/jumped etc but does do it occasionally while riding.Can you suggest a vet in Va that has experience with this or suggest treatment?ThankyouAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-90159941944874552952012-01-03T07:15:36.647-08:002012-01-03T07:15:36.647-08:00Hi, I have a now 8 year old palomino paint gelding...Hi, I have a now 8 year old palomino paint gelding. He started Head-Shaking at age 5. It started out very mild and got to where I was no longer able to ride him. He went from a near bomb-proof horse to one that was fearful of almost anything that moved. I took him to the University of Florida Large Animal Clinic, they had no clue gave us no answers. He twitches most when asked to move (walk, trot, canter) at rest though it can be just as bad as when moving especially if you've just gotten off from riding. ONe thing I've noticed is he sucks his chin (squishy part under his lower lip) flat I mean completely FLAT when working. I have never seen a horse do this. He's rubbed his nose bloody before but hasn't done that in quite a while. Please I'm begging you, I need answers anything that might help him :( No one will give me answers, I just want to help Buddy in any way I can he's my best friend :(Ashley&Buddynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-10348223822577364792011-09-11T21:35:58.287-07:002011-09-11T21:35:58.287-07:00Hi, thanks for this. They have been scoped which i...Hi, thanks for this. They have been scoped which is why we found the inflamation. Both these horses were not on hand fed minerals just the blocks and salt licks which they never used, just sat gathering dust. My pastures also are out, high k and mg, low ca and p, and zero na. Both horses are supplemented, broad spectrum supps + ca/mg supp and salt - 40g per day. From all accounts these two horses have deleloped allergies as a part of HS. The adrenals are exhausted, and cause is due to soil imbalance, no force fed supplementation and superphosphate being spread over the soils previously which meant they were eating potassium rich pastures 24/7. They have been on cypro and predys granuals initially cypro had no effect, garlic and rosehip however had impact around 40 days. A diet change and removal of all processed feeds and alfalfa has seen 1 of the horses ratios come into acceptable range, the other with the insufficient adrenals and overactive thyroid is still out. Hes now on a herbal mix to help get his adrenals working properly so that he can excrete the excess potassium and retain the sodium. If you were treating a horse with adrenal and thyroid problems - forgetting the fact of the allergies how would you treat that.<br /><br />Thanks<br />JodieUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15689539392835997449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-40870563927175256622011-09-02T12:33:24.457-07:002011-09-02T12:33:24.457-07:00Dear "unknown"
There is no published da...Dear "unknown"<br /> There is no published data concerning electrolyte abnormalities and head shaking syndrome. Adrenal dysfunction " addisons disease" is rare in the horse but a condition similar to relative adrenal insufficiency is reported in those suffering from septicemia. Sounds unlikely in this case. The fact that there were moved to a new location and signs started points to a more environmental cause. This could be allergic in nature , reactions to molds,pollen or certain cleaning fluids if used. Also a sinusitis is a possible cause but doubtful it would go on in two horses for four years. Diagnostic plan should include endoscopy, skull radiographs,...if clear then a trail course of corticosteroid may be indicated.Dr. Alan Weldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043104329444573626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-16247784658003532332011-09-02T04:32:23.222-07:002011-09-02T04:32:23.222-07:00Hi, i have 2 headshakers on the one property, both...Hi, i have 2 headshakers on the one property, both starting 4 years exactly to the month of being here. Both have inflamed nasal cavities, with dripping mucus, clear to white nasal discharge and some tearing - only from one eye though.<br />They have had a massive diet change - no green, pasture is removed when actively growing and it did improve the situation and reduce the severity by around 80% last season.<br /><br />Do you have any theories on k:na being out and k binding calcium and magnesium, sodium and chloride - chloride depletion leads to metabolic alkalosis. Also underactive adrenals leads to potassium being retained, sodium/chloride being excreted and should be the other way around.<br /><br />Thanks.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15689539392835997449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-29291784569978897122011-08-01T06:11:21.943-07:002011-08-01T06:11:21.943-07:00Susan
It sounds more like a head shaking problem t...Susan<br />It sounds more like a head shaking problem than colic although that is much more common. Other neurologic disorders are also possible and EPM can be considered but it's an atypical presentation. Serum or blood testing is extremely unreliable, the best test is to test spinal fluid using the SAG 234 ELISA test at the Univ of Kentucky. It does sound a lot like a head shaking case from this end. The going off by himself is particularly interesting.particularly if he is seeking out shade.this could indicate an ocular cause or photic head shaking . As a quick test...try a fly mask and keep him in on bright sunny days, if he is only doing it when in the sun then you are moving towards a diagnosis. If not then other cause need to be considered as it is a syndrome with a lot of factors involved....keep me posted.Dr. Alan Weldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043104329444573626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-11653896543524739652011-07-31T09:11:14.365-07:002011-07-31T09:11:14.365-07:00I have a 15 yr old paso fino gelding who was, up u...I have a 15 yr old paso fino gelding who was, up until the middle of May, a very pleasant and easy-going horse. He first presented with a sudden almost violent vertical head shaking. Vet was called immediately and diagnosed and treated for colic. He was fine for two days. The head jerking started again, not as violent, but a rythmic jerk. Can't put a halter on him - goes beserk. He paces in his stall and blows and paws at same spot in the corner. Has separated himself from the other horses when in pasture. My vet has treated him for colic 2x, ear mites, floated teeth, did an endocsopic exam. And now wants to treat for EPM. He had one positive and one negative EPM test. He has no symptoms in his legs or hind end. I asked my vet about head shaking syndrome and he said he wants to rule everything out before we "go down that road" My horse is miserable. Please help. I am having a new vet come see him on Tuesday and I wanted to get your insight for a discussion with her.<br />Thank you!<br />SusanSusan Housenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-68933117686840268852011-07-07T17:46:01.031-07:002011-07-07T17:46:01.031-07:002 posts follow, one on ears, and one on headshakin...2 posts follow, one on ears, and one on headshaking.<br /><br />1. Ears. I had a TB mare with "Aural Plaque" (spelling) After years of thinking she was better, then her getting worse, I just got into the habit of taking her bridle apart and putting it on around her ears. Once she realized I was going to bypass them always she got much better. No vet treatment ever worked.<br /><br />2. Headshaking. I brought a TB gelding to AZ from VA. The vet in AZ floated his teeth with an electric float. He developed Headshake...I can't say that't what caused it, but $3000 worth of xrays showed irritation around his teeth and around a cut he had had sewn up 6 weeks earlier. (3 weeks earlier in Virginia he won his division eventing. Won the trophy in dressage...etc. So now a year later it's gone. But he was unridable for 5 or six months. I had an old fashioned (ie by hand) equine dentist touch him up, and and acupuncturist work on him and that made it better. I did try keeping him in with a mister/fan, that did not help. The vet ruled out sun, he had no issues there. But it could have been an allergy, I just don't know, and I've moved him since, so it hasn't recurred.JWWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07900863450554826858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-66279303384538827352011-07-07T15:57:14.308-07:002011-07-07T15:57:14.308-07:00Hoffy
This sounds a great deal like photic headsh...Hoffy<br /> This sounds a great deal like photic headshaking. Ask your Vet about the use of cyproheptidine. It is a difficult diagnosis to arrive at so a lot of causes will have to be ruled out.<br />DocDr. Alan Weldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043104329444573626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-20388738244015718192011-07-06T17:04:57.696-07:002011-07-06T17:04:57.696-07:00hi I have an Andalusian who's head shaking has...hi I have an Andalusian who's head shaking has become very out of control in the last year. The vet has suggested head shaking, as he is very sensitive and often freaks out when the doors are open or light comes into the arena. Theres No way it is strictly behavioral. Recently a long fly mask has helped calm him during my rides, however, he has begun to kick his stall throughout the day when I am not there.. so hard that we fear he may kick through to the next stall. <br /><br />I believe this is due to pain.. any idea of how to control this or help him calm down? Anyone had similar problems?Hoffyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12584338120398729693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-45340375991443607752011-06-08T08:38:04.787-07:002011-06-08T08:38:04.787-07:00Hi everyone
I found out today my 20yr old horse h...Hi everyone<br /><br />I found out today my 20yr old horse has head shaking syndrome. He shakes his head a little to the side but the strange thing is he will suddenly act as if he got stung in his knose and just bolts (if you are on him or next to him) This is so unlike him...:( when he stands next to me he rubs his knose on his leg or me - clearly somethings bugging him I just wish I can help him.<br />?Kelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-21267827740382197632011-01-28T15:21:25.885-08:002011-01-28T15:21:25.885-08:00Hello Doc,
What about a horse that has a left ear...Hello Doc,<br /><br />What about a horse that has a left ear twitch, a little snorting at the start of the ride pretty much goes beautifully and then WAM a big violent toss to the right? Like almost falls over? Does it at any gate (canter, hand gallop...) would throw her head into a fence if it were there. And then is quiet again, goes really nice. Still fusses with her left ear. Hates sun and wind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-47259454244860539512009-11-29T02:54:09.031-08:002009-11-29T02:54:09.031-08:00Hi, i am in Sydney Australia. I have two horses on...Hi, i am in Sydney Australia. I have two horses one TB 24yrs old, and an Australian Stock Horse 16 years old, My TB has been headshaking for 4 years now and my stockhorse has just started this season, both horses scoped recently and found mucus nodules right up the back of their nose. My SH is on cyproheptadine tablets 300mg per day, and previously on Predys, very high dose for 10 days, and boxed all day. To me this is an allergic reaction to something seasonal, and the headshaking is the visual sign of something of the pain that the infection is causing. Fly veils make no difference, the only thing that helps when they are distressed is with wetting their nostrils, rubbing up in side their nose, or rubbing their head above their eyes, any suggestions would be helpful, its going to be near impossible to locate an offending plant or weed, my property is practically weed free, all paddocks have been pasture improved, the only thing that is questionable is i have photenia (red tip) surrounding my arena<br /><br />JodieUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15689539392835997449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-25097195713584430562009-10-06T14:33:51.941-07:002009-10-06T14:33:51.941-07:00I live in UK and have a horse which started head s...I live in UK and have a horse which started head shaking this year in May and continues to do so now in October. I have consulted the vet and tried: Guardian mask; nosenet/tights, Piriton, Cyproheptadine, Tegretol, Sodium Cromglycate eye drops with Vividrin and NostrilVet but to no avail. He has had an x-rays of head and neck as well as an endoscopy of his nasal passages but nothing untoward was found. His head shaking is worst whilst being ridden but he will sneeze and shake when being led to/from paddock and occasionally sneezes in the paddock as well.<br /><br />Any suggestions as what else I can try to alleviate his problem would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks<br />MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-76373748377810309932009-09-23T16:57:05.447-07:002009-09-23T16:57:05.447-07:00I moved to Arizona from Virginia this June with my...I moved to Arizona from Virginia this June with my two TB geldings. The younger, a seven year old, bay with very small star, cut his forehead the day before we left Virginia. The vet says it was very superficial and sewed him up. Upon arriving in AZ we rode him a few times and lunged him and he seemed just fine. A few weeks later the vet here took out the stitches. While he was tranquilized she also floated his teeth, with power tools. When I went to ride him the next day he would not go on the bit, and began tossing his head. I switched bits several times, no change. I lunged him with and without a bit, then with and without a headstall, still head tossing. We had her back out and she did another $170 worth of dental (the first visit was over $300). We gave it some time, he got worse. An equine dentist with a great rep was in town, I had him look. He did not like the way the front teeth met, and some of the work on the back, and his did some corrections by hand (I'll never have dental done again any other way). An accupuncturist treated him at the same time. He was better, but not well. In early September I took him to a large clinic in Phoenix where they did $1300 worth of xrays of his head. Some inflamation around the earlier forehead wound and all around all of his teeth. They recommended Bute for two weeks to bring it down. We didn't see much improvement. It is not worse in light, it is just the same in indoor arena. Finally, after much research, I decided to start with the cheapest 'fixes' and work my way up. I bought a nose net and he is 90% better. I would like to work with a vet here to see if we can get it to 100%. I don't know that the initial dental set it off, or the move to Arizona, or what. The horse had just won his division in beginner horse trials in VA before I left, with a great dressage round, so obviously wasn't having issues then. What would you recommend my next steps be?JWWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07900863450554826858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-35894261169447365222009-08-25T19:50:10.957-07:002009-08-25T19:50:10.957-07:00G'day,
Interesting posts and comments made, bu...G'day,<br />Interesting posts and comments made, but I have a question.<br />I have a 4 (near 5) gelding ottb, had him almost 9 months. First 6 months he was fine to lunge and be ridden (lightly, was mostly on spell). Approx 3 months ago we went for a bush ride, went past some pollen and it was like he had inhaled a flower - head shaking, stomping, violently tossing his head. He was fine by the time we got home.<br />Skip ahead to a month ago, he now does this in lunging - regardless of halter (rope/webbed) or bridle, UNLESS he has a flash on.<br />Teeth are checked, is not lunged with a saddle or roller, and has been lunged WITH saddle/roller - no diff. He does NOT do this ridden.<br /><br />Any thoughts?<br />JessSquishynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-61427134692679973142009-07-27T19:15:25.322-07:002009-07-27T19:15:25.322-07:00Joy
The goggles do look a bit goofy. I think it wo...Joy<br />The goggles do look a bit goofy. I think it would be possible to buy some polarized film and mount it into an area cut out of a fly mask.<br />Try this site<br />http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productID=1912<br /><br />Also start the cyproheptidine as well.Dr. Alan Weldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043104329444573626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17081314.post-1296926976274322402009-07-27T16:00:51.749-07:002009-07-27T16:00:51.749-07:00I too seem to have a Photic Headshaker... symptoms...I too seem to have a Photic Headshaker... symptoms disappear at night and when blindfolded. Are you able to point me in the direction of a good polarized goggle, besides the God Awful looking Guardian Mask? A standard fly mask didn't block enough light to stop the headshaking... What about equine contact lenses?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com