Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident or stroke in a 16-year-old Cob mare
- Julie Potier
, - James Prutton
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Abstract
This paper describes the clinical and histopathological features of a
16-year-old Cob mare who sustained a hemorrhagic cerebrovascular
accident or stroke. The mare presented with an acute onset of
neurological signs, with a neuroanatomical localization to the midbrain
and thalamus regions. The mare was reported to have suffered from ataxia
on all 4 limbs which started 7 days prior to referral, she was also
showing several signs of left-sided cranial nerves deficits. On initial
examination, the mare presented with quadrilateral ataxia, left-sided
facial paralysis, weak tongue tone and a left-sided nose tilt as well as
a hemineglect syndrome characterized by an inability to eat food
presented on the right side of her mouth. Complete blood count and
biochemistry analyses did not reveal any abnormalities, and a standing
head CT revealed the presence of a hyperdense lesion localized in the
left ventral cortex and thalamus region, which could be consistent with
a vascular lesion, cholesterol granuloma or a mass. The mare was
monitored, and as her condition slightly improved, she was discharged
from the Hospital. Four weeks later, the clinical signs recurred and as
the ataxia presented a danger for the mare and anyone handling her, the
decision was made to euthanize her. A post-mortem CT scan of the head
revealed an enlargement of the previous lesion, and the
histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a hemorrhage
within the brain, associated with neoplastic emboli. Hemorrhagic stroke
has not previously been well described in horses therefore presents a
challenge in diagnosis. Treatment in small animals is mainly
conservative.Submitted to Equine Veterinary Education 03 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 Aug 20241st Revision Received
08 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
08 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
19 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Aug 20242nd Revision Received
29 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
29 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
29 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept