Caecal microbiota in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking.

Background: Trigeminal-mediated headshaking (TMHS) in horses is a form of neuropathic pain of undetermined cause that often results in euthanasia. The role of microbiota in TMHS has not been investigated in diseased horses.

Objective: To investigate if gastrointestinal microbiota in the cecum is different in horses with TMHS compared to a control population, during a summer season with clinical manifestations of disease.

Effects of magnesium with or without boron on headshaking behavior in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking.

Background: Oral administration of magnesium and boron might have a beneficial effect on headshaking behavior in horses.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of oral magnesium alone or in combination with boron on headshaking behavior in affected horses.

Animals: Twelve geldings (6 healthy controls and 6 affected).

Luteinizing hormone concentrations in healthy horses and horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking over an 8-hour period.

Background: Trigeminal-mediated headshaking results from a low threshold for firing of the trigeminal nerve. A seasonal component has been implicated in onset of clinical signs, which occur during the spring and summer months. Geldings are overrepresented in the affected population and hormonal differences as compared to a healthy control population of geldings might contribute to headshaking.

Intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate and its effect on horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking.

Background: Trigeminal-mediated headshaking results from low-threshold firing of the trigeminal nerve resulting in apparent facial pain. Magnesium may have neuroprotective effects on nerve firing that potentially dampen signs of neuropathic pain. This hypothesis has not been investigated in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking.