# A Closed Reduction of Cervical Spine Subluxation in an Arabian Foal with an External Neck Stabilizer

## TL;DR

A two-day-old Arabian foal with a cervical spine subluxation was successfully treated with a non-surgical external neck stabilizer, leading to full recovery.

## Contribution

This case report presents a successful nonsurgical treatment of cervical spine subluxation in a foal, a rare and underreported condition in veterinary literature.

## Key findings

- The foal showed significant improvement in ataxia symptoms after closed reduction and neck stabilization.
- Radiographs confirmed successful realignment of the C2/C3 vertebrae following treatment.
- The foal was discharged without neurological deficits after 16 days of stabilization.

## Abstract

Foals and young horses that sustain cervical spine injuries as a result of high-speed accidents are prone to developing neurological signs that range from mild to severe or even result in sudden death. This case report describes a successful nonsurgical reduction of subluxation between the second and third cervical vertebrae in a foal and its short-term outcome. The foal was discharged home without any neurological deficits after treatment.

Cervical spine injuries that impact young horses and foals can result in mild to severe neurological signs or even result in sudden death. There are only a few reports on conservative treatment options for this condition in the scientific literature. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to the development of degenerative joint disease, resulting in chronic neurological symptoms and discomfort. We present the case of a two-day-old Arabian foal that showed signs of ataxia following a neck injury, being the result of cervical spine subluxation. Radiological examination revealed a dislocation between the second and third cervical vertebrae. At admission to the clinic on the seventh day of life, the foal’s clinical examination parameters were within physiological ranges. The head posture at the presentation was consistently low, the foal could not lift its head above the shoulder joint throughout the whole examination, the neck muscles were spastically tensed and clinical signs of ataxia were present. The foal underwent a closed reduction in the subluxation under general anesthesia and a fiberglass semicircular gutter was created to stabilize the neck in the desired position. The ataxia symptoms began to improve around day 12 post manipulation, and the fiberglass stabilizer was removed after 16 days post manipulation, followed by radiographs. The dislocation of C2/C3 was no longer visible on the radiographs, and the foal was able to assume a normal neck posture after the removal of the fixator.