118 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



TRANSIENT CRURAL PARALYSIS 



In this, we have a condition which is very confusing 

 to the practitioner who has not had previous acquaint- 

 ance with it. 



It occurs almost always in young horses, usually dur- 

 ing the fourth or fifth year. It makes its appearance 

 precipitately, and as a rule disappears within a number 

 of hours after its development. It is important chiefly 

 from the viewpoint of prognosis. 



The affected limb is held in a limp, flaccid attitude ; 

 the hock is extended to the limit, the ankle fluxed com- 

 pletely. In moving about the animal drags the leg 

 loosely, the anterior face of the ankle touching the 

 ground. The paralysis apparently includes the motor 

 nerves only ; sensation is not impaired in the parts. 



The condition must be differentiated from the fol- 

 lowing affections: 



1. Cramp. 



2. Rupture of the flexor metatarsi. 



3. True crural paralysis. 



It is differentiated from cramp by the loose, flaccid 

 condition of the muscles. A sudden shock, such as a 

 stroke with a whip, will dispel cramp. Not so with this 

 condition. In cramp, the entire limb is held rigid. 



From rupture of the flexar metatarsi it is differentiated 

 by the absence of trauma, lack of swelling and soreness 

 on palpation in the region of the tendon of the flexor. 



True crural paralysis differs from the condition under 

 discussion in that it makes its appearance gradually, or 

 else follows injuries sustained in falling, in being cast, or 

 from other noted accidents. A history of this nature can 

 usually be obtained from owners or attendants in cases 

 of true crural paralysis. A history that now and then 

 goes with a case of transient crural paralysis is that the 



