Even though the heading for this week’s column is humorous, it’s not actually funny if your horse has paralysis of the facial nerve. But it’s a fairly common ailment and can be slight or very dramatic. If treated immediately, it can usually be reversed. The paralysis can occur on one side of the face (unilaterally) or both sides (bilaterally) and there are many causes ranging from exposure to cold, trauma to the face or shock. It often comes about after a serious disease such as strangles or a viral infection.
When the paralysis is unilateral, the middle of the lip is drawn towards the healthy side. Bilateral paralysis precludes grasping of food and the lower lip hangs down. I n extreme cases, the horse will have difficulty closing its eyelids. Then it’s important to use saline eyedrops to keep the eyes moist.
Any disease of the nervous system should be treated with care and a professional should be involved as soon as possible. Homeopathic treatment can have good results: G elsemium 200C – very useful when the paralysis follows an infectious disease, especially influenza. Give once a day for one week. Causticum 30C – if the condition has been caused by exposure to cold, then this remedy is best. Dosage is morning and night for five days.
A mmonium phosphoricum 6C – this remedy is applicable if there is morning weeping. is evening and morning for five days. Zincum picricum 6C – use if there’s chorea-like twitching of facial muscles together with general weakness and debility. Dosage is evening and morning for one week. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – assists detox and helps the body heal itself. Feed 30g daily. arlic – the blood-cleansing properties of garlic are excellent. 30g in • • • • • • morning and evening feed. But if you suspect your horse has a liver disorder or a weak liver, it’s best not to use garlic.
Rescue remedy – apply a small amount on the temples and the paralysed areas. Also apply 1ml regularly on the bottom lip. additionally, make the horse comfortable and if he’s battling to eat, dampen his food and make it fine. Good nursing and tasty food can go a long way to helping a horse heal. – Kim Dyson (082 888 6511). |fw
