Jack Has Narcolepsy!!

In my never ending quest to help Jack, I called in a new chiropractor (that I met "by chance" - nothing is by chance! - at the Bonsall Farmers' Market last week) in hopes that she would be able to find just the right spot that will help pull Jack out of his spiraling doldrums.

Well...I do think Dr. Fletcher solved a very important part of the puzzle to Jack's continuing listlessness, dull coat...depression!

Watch the video....!



Dr. Fletcher continued mulling over Jack's condition long after she left the barn - as did I - and here is input from the "Facebook" consortium:

"O.K. Today I saw a beautiful young Thoroughbred that I'm 99% sure has narcolepsy. This is the 3rd horse I've seen with narcolepsy (2 with definitive diagnoses), yet this is supposed to be pretty rare in equines. Anyone else have any experiences with narcolepsy in horses?

Narcolepsy is an incurable, nonprogressive central nervous system disorder characterized by abnormal sleep tendency including excessive daytime sleepiness. In narcolepsy muscle relaxation intrudes abruptly into wakefulness. This muscle weakness produces a collapse, or cataplexy, which is the most obvious sign of narcolepsy. The disease is seen in horses of all ages. Although complete attacks occur, most horses remain standing, with their heads hanging and resting close to or on the ground. Complete attacks may occur and result in the horse lying on its side with flaccid limbs. These episodes last from a few seconds to 10 minutes. The horse appears completely normal following these sleep attacks with no residual neurologic deficits.

Sleep deprivation is often mis-diagnosed as narcolepsy. In narcoleptic horses, the sudden onset of REM sleep usually occurs during periods of inactivity--while the horse is in his stall, at pasture, or standing relaxed in a run-in shed. Typically, the horse will drop his head quite low and spread his front legs for balance while his hindquarters sag. The horse's eyes might be closed or half-open, and movement (REM) is visible. Most horses remain standing during attacks, but some, particularly ponies, sit on their haunches and might roll on their sides. Attacks can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes.

REM Sleep
REM sleep can only be achieved when lying down. Horses that either can’t or won’t lie down may be at risk for sleep deprivation. Dr. Joe Bertone, Professor of Equine Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, studies sleep deprivation. He reports that horses need between 30 and 60 minutes of REM sleep each day, and that after 7 to 14 days of being deprived of this sleep will begin to fall asleep (collapse) at odd times, without notice. If your horse shows signs of sleep deprivation, check:his/her ability to lie down physically. Is he in pain? Does he have trouble getting up?
His environment. Is it always noisy? Hectic? Loud?
Emotional issues. Too nervous to lie down? Afraid of not being able to rise?"

"....If Jack startles awake every time he tries to take a nap so that he doesn't lose his balance or go down from his "stay apparatus" being overridden, just think how sleep-deprived he must be....he may be going around in pretty much a "fog" most of the time." Oh, poor Jack!!! That does sound just like him!!!

Search "YouTube" and you can find other videos of narcoleptic horses!

After all we've done to try to help Jack, this definitely makes all the pieces to the puzzle fall neatly together. As bad as I feel for Jack, it's great to know we finally (probably) have a clue what's wrong with him!!

Now...what can we do about it?!