Neurological signs in a horse due to metastases of an intestinal adenocarcinoma.

The research discusses a case where a horse showed neurological symptoms due to metastases of an intestinal adenocarcinoma. It sheds light on how an initial misdiagnosis caused a delay in proper treatment leading to rapid deterioration in the horse’s health.

Case Background

• The study details a case of a 22-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare that was referred to Utrecht University due to progressive left hind limb paresis (partial paralysis) and hyporeflexia (below normal or absent reflexes).
• The preliminary diagnosis was a neurological form of equine herpes virus (EHV-1) infection, which is a common cause of neurological problems in horses.

Post-Admission Condition and Examination

• Within a day of admission, the mare became recumbent, meaning it was lying down and was unable to stand up, and its health deteriorated rapidly.
• Upon the mare’s death, a postmortem examination was conducted. The examination revealed an adenocarcinoma in the caecum, which is a pouch in the horse’s large intestine.

Cancer Identification and Metastases

• The postmortem examination uncovered the presence of metastases, which are secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer. The metastases were present in all regional lymph nodes of the horse.
• The cancerous growth also extended from the lumbar nodes into the vertebral canal— the space in the vertebral column formed by the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes.
• As a result of this extension, the horse experienced spinal cord compression and destruction of the left 4th and 5th lumbar nerves which likely contributed to its neurological symptoms and rapid health deterioration.

Implications

• This case provides valuable insight into the potential cause of neurological problems in horses. It highlights the fact that such symptoms may not only be due to infections like EHV-1 but can also be a manifestation of more serious conditions like adenocarcinoma.
• The study emphasizes the importance of thorough and accurate diagnosis in providing suitable treatment. The initial misdiagnosis in this case may have delayed appropriate cancer treatments that could have potentially extended the horse’s life.