## Overview Loss of tail tone, so the tail feels heavy and limp when lifted and cannot be clamped against the perineum, is an important early indicator of neurologic disease affecting the sacral spinal cord or cauda equina. It may be an early sign of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or polyneuritis equi. ## What It Indicates Sacral spinal cord or nerve-root dysfunction. ## Diagnosis Neurologic examination including tail and anal tone, plus further testing for specific diseases. ## Treatment Directed at the underlying neurologic disease. ## Recovery and Prognosis Depends on the cause. Early recognition improves management. ## Prevention Vaccination and biosecurity for equine herpesvirus-1 where applicable.
reduced tail tone (heavy and limp when lifted); inability to clamp the tail; may be early sign of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or polyneuritis equi
## Overview Loss of tail tone, so the tail feels heavy and limp when lifted and cannot be clamped against the perineum, is an important early indicator of neurologic disease affecting the sacral spinal cord or cauda equina. It may be an early sign of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or polyneuritis equi. ## What It Indicates Sacral spinal cord or nerve-root dysfunction. ## Diagnosis Neurologic examination including tail and anal tone, plus further testing for specific diseases. ## Treatment Directed at the underlying neurologic disease. ## Recovery and Prognosis Depends on the cause. Early recognition improves management. ## Prevention Vaccination and biosecurity for equine herpesvirus-1 where applicable.
reduced tail tone (heavy and limp when lifted); inability to clamp the tail; may be early sign of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or polyneuritis equi