CLINICAL COMMUNICATION KLINIESE MEDEDELING

Nuchal crest avulsion fracture in 2 horses: A cause of headshaking

A Voigt; M N Saulez; C M Donnellan

Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Equine Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa

ABSTRACT

The medical records of 2 Thoroughbred horses that developed headshaking after blunt trauma to the occipital region are reviewed. The history, signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, diagnosis and treatment were recorded in each case. Both horses displayed head-shaking, while one horse repeatedly lifted its upper lip and pawed excessively at the ground. In both horses, diagnostic imaging of the occipital region revealed avulsion fragments of the nuchal crest and a nuchal desmitis in association with hyperfibrinogenaemia. The presence of an avulsion fragment of the nuchal crest with associated nuchal desmitis should be considered in horses presenting with headshaking and may respond favourably to conservative therapy.

Keywords: equine, headshaking, nuchal crest desmitis, trauma

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Received: March 2009
Accepted: May 2009

* Author for correspondence. E-mail: montague.saulez@up.ac.za