Platinum embolisation coils are playing a key role in a new technique designed to minimise the effects of headshaking in horses, it emerged yesterday (1st July).

The condition, believed to originate in the trigeminal nerve - which supplies the face - has still been known to trouble horses despite all recognised causes being ruled out.

However, surgeons from the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital at the University of Liverpool have conducted a number of tests with the help of the precious metal.

The coils - often used to block damaged blood vessels in humans - are placed into the infraorbital canal, which transports the appropriate branch of the nerve through the maxilla.

With between two and five coils placed just in front of the horses' last cheek tooth, the scientists found that they were capable of preventing the pain which contributes to headshaking.

The tests, carried out by Veronica Roberts and colleagues and detailed in the Equine Veterinary Journal, showed that 84 per cent of 24 horses responded positively to the treatment.

Furthermore, the technique was successful at the first time of asking in 59 per cent of the specimens, while also being repeated in six and performed three times on one horse.

Dr Roberts explained that, while the tests were encouraging, more work is needed as 46 per cent of the horses suffered a side effect of nose-rubbing, thus leading to damage of the muzzle and face.

"The surgery needs to be much better, but it is the best we can offer at the moment," she was quoted as saying by horsetalk.co.nz.

"Certainly some horses are totally better, some merely significantly improved to the point they can be ridden. The first horse was operated five years ago and is still OK. A few others have relapsed but not many."

Horses can be affected by a number of conditions and diseases, ranging from digestive illnesses such as colic to respiratory complaints like strangles or the equine herpes virus.

Source:

Surgery brings relief for headshaking horses (01/07/09)

Ÿ Adfero Ltd