Sacral fractures

• Rearing and falling over backward
• Collisions and kicks by other horses

Clinical signs of sacral vertebral fractures depend on:

• Degree of bony disruption
• Instability at the fracture site
• Severity to the trauma to the cord

Clinical signs can be:

• Mild to severe ataxia
• Pain and swelling over the croup and tail head, tail weakness or paralysis, decreased anal tone, retention of feces, bladder distention, and urine dribbling

Radiographs:

• The growth plates and their closure times must be taken into consideration when interpreting the radiographic images in foals and young adult horses
• Fracture lines are often poorly visualized

Radiographic examination:

• Lateral radiographs
• Ventrodorsal radiographs are usually unrewarding

Computertomography:

• Complete CT of the thoracolumbar/sacrococcygeal region is possible in foals, small horses, ponies and donkeys.

Myelography:

• Possible in foals, small horses, ponies, and donkeys

MRI:

• A complete examination is possible in foals, small horses, ponies and donkeys.