Evaluation of some prophylactic therapies for the idiopathic headshaker syndrome

Abstract

Summary Eighteen horses affected by the idiopathic headshaker syndrome were studied in an owner assessed trial to test the efficacy of some prophylactic therapies. Riding the affected animal with a veil over the nostrils gave varying degrees of temporary relief in three of 10 horses. Local (intra‐nasal) corticosteroid therapy was reported to be slightly effective in three of nine horses, but treatment with sodium cromoglycate, systemic corticosteroid, flunixin meglumine and an antihistamine were generally ineffective. Bilateral infraorbital neurectomy provided sustained relief in three of seven horses, but in one of these cases, a reaction at the neurectomy site necessitated another surgical procedure after six months. A fourth horse was reported to be slightly improved after neurectomy. A period of nasal irritation resulting in selfinflicted trauma was a common complication of this surgery.

Caudal anaesthesia of the infraorbital nerve for diagnosis of idiopathic headshaking and caudal compression of the infraorbital nerve for its treatment, in 58 horses

“…Post operative nose‐rubbing with possible self‐trauma and increased severity of headshaking was reported in 63% of horses, a slightly lower incidence than reported following bilateral infraorbital neurectomy (84%) [3,10]. There appeared to be no proportional risk from the number of coils placed or the use of laser on this side effect, but case numbers are insufficient for statistical analysis.…”

Sensory Nerve Conduction and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials of the Trigeminal Nerve in Horses with Idiopathic Headshaking

“…Clinical manifestations of affected horses have been compared to those of people with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia who experience burning, itching, tingling, tickling, or electric‐like pain sensation. This has led to the belief that the disorder in horses is also associated with trigeminal neuralgia . Despite this belief, there have been limited studies to investigate the involvement of the trigeminal nerve in the etiopathogenesis of disease including infraorbital nerve blocks and compression .…”

Treatment of Idiopathic Headshaking in Horses with Pulsed High‐Dose Dexamethasone

“…Despite extensive investigation, no specific etiology has been identified and postmortem examinations of headshakers have found no physical abnormalities in the trigeminal nerves . Current medical and surgical treatments for headshaking have high failure and complication rates …”