I don't know how many of you have seen a miniature horse. They are pretty cute and they are usually proportionally (not fat like most ponies). They stand about 3 feet tall and actually quite a few people own them. We had one come in on Sunday night. He was a one year old stallion named "Casey." His owners had noticed hindlimb lameness. It was first thought that he had bilateral luxating patellas (both of his kneecaps would dislocate). When this happened he would just lay in the stall and kick. He wasn't able to get up on his own. His case was brought to anesthesia because they wanted x-rays to confirm the luxating patellas. I got the case about half an hour before we put him under anesthesia.
He was described to me as "fractious" and I was told I probably should just take the physical exam readings from the surgery student instead of doing my own physical. We anesthetized him very carefully because he really did "freak out" several times. Once he was under anesthesia, very deep I might add, he was still kicking. We finally got the radiographs taken and he was allowed to wake up. He was given steroids in his knees to see if that would help. It did not and he wasn't even able to rise after anesthesia. The owners decided to euthanize him.
He was sent to necropsy as a rabies suspect (all animals showing neurological signs are considered rabies suspects). The funny thing is that one of the residents was absolutely sure it was not rabies and he would just freak out because of the luxating patellas. While he was under anesthesia, one of the very experienced surgeons said this looked like a classic case of rabies. It turned out he was right!! I got the news on Monday night and went in Tuesday for post-exposure rabies vaccinations. I have already been through a 3 shot series of rabies vaccinations and have a high titer against it, but all people who are considered exposed must receive treatment afterwards. I only need two vaccinations and both are given in the arm, so it really isn't too bad.
I guess the moral of my little story is that not all mini horses are cute...they might have rabies!!
Joan
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