Post-anaesthetic myelopathy in a 3-year-old Friesian gelding.

The article details a case study of a 3-year-old Friesian stallion that developed post-anaesthetic myelopathy, a rare neurological ailment, after undergoing two laparotomy surgeries for colic and an inguinal hernia. Despite attempts to treat the horse, its condition did not improve and it was ultimately euthanized.

Case Background

• The research is based on a case of a 3-year-old Friesian stallion that was brought to the Department of Equine Sciences at Utrecht University due to symptoms of colic.
• The horse initially underwent a laparotomy surgery, during which it was found to have an incarcerated inguinal hernia for which it was concurrently castrated. However, no intestinal resection was performed at this stage.

Secondary Complications and Diagnosis

• Eight days following the initial surgery, the horse displayed severe colic symptoms again and was readmitted for a second laparotomy. This time, 1.5 m of strangulated jejunum was resected.
• During the second surgery, the horse suffered severe intraoperative hypotension, bradycardia (slow heart rate), and electrolyte disorders which caused recovery difficulties including paralysis of the hindquarters.
• The horse showed no signs of pain perception in the hind limbs, and there were no patellar or anal reflexes. The muscular examination revealed soft, non-painful muscles in the hindquarters and the long extensor muscles of the back.
• Despite an intravenous corticosteroid treatment, the horse showed no improvement; thus, a tentative diagnosis of post-anaesthetic myelopathy was given.

Outcome and Findings

• Due to the poor prognosis of post-anaesthetic myelopathy, the horse’s restlessness, and its inability to be lifted using a sling system, the decision was made, with the owner’s consent, to euthanize the horse.
• Post-anaesthetic myelopathy is a rare neurological condition in horses, with little known about its causes and contributing factors due to its low incidence rate.
• This case report aims to contribute to the understanding of post-anaesthetic myelopathy through the clinical observations and the anaesthetic protocol used, and compares this case with others reported in existing literature.