Diagnosis and surgical reduction of atlanto-axial luxation in a 10-year-old Irish Draught horse

This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of noncongenital atlanto-axial luxation in a 10-year-old Irish Draught mare. The mare initially presented to our referral hospital for dullness and colic signs. After resolution of the colic signs, the horse displayed increasing levels of dullness. Physical examination revealed that the horse could not flex and extend its neck freely to reach food from the ground. Radiographic and standing computed tomographic investigations revealed atlanto-axial luxation that was subsequently successfully reduced using a surgical approach under general anaesthesia. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case report describing the successful surgical treatment of presumed traumatic atlanto-axial luxation in an adult horse.