Case of the Week #2 🐎👀

As a veterinarian deeply involved in equine care, I've found that understanding cranial nerve disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. This case quiz highlights the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which controls muscles responsible for facial expressions and functions such as lip and nostril movement. In practice, when a horse presents with a deviation of the muzzle or asymmetry in facial muscles, suspecting a lesion in the facial nerve is essential. The quiz mentions the importance of identifying the lesion side—for example, a right-side lesion can cause weakness in muscles on that side, leading to a leftward deviation of the muzzle. Knowledge of the branches, such as the buccal branch that innervates lips and nostrils, helps pinpoint the affected areas. NAVLE preparation benefits greatly from engaging with these real-life clinical scenarios, reinforcing neuroanatomy and clinical signs correlation. Remember, early detection and correct localization of nerve damage can improve prognosis and management in equine patients. This quiz serves not only to test your knowledge but also to build confidence in handling neurological cases in horses—critical skills for any aspiring horse doctor.