Q. I would like information on wry nose (laterally deviated rostral maxilla). I had a foal born with it and never heard of it before then. I would like to know what causes it and any other information about this condition. Also, how common is it in horses?

Virginia

A. Wry nose, or deviated rostral maxilla and associated nasal septal deviation, is a congenital deformity in the horse (he is born with it). There is no good evidence that wry nose in the horse is heritable (has a genetic predisposition). No one really knows what causes it, but as with other congenital deformities, it might result from malpositioning in the uterus. Wry-nosed foals might result in dystocia (difficult foaling), and can also have other deformities of the neck and occasionally of the limbs. It is not common–although we can’t really name an exact percentage of affected foals.

A foal with wry nose will have the upper jaw and nose deviated or turned to one side. A deviated nasal septum (the cartilage plate that separates the right and left nasal passageways) is also usually present, which results in obstruction of the airway and difficulty breathing. This is the greatest functional concern with wry nose. There will usually be malocclusion (poor alignment) of the teeth, although most foals can still nurse and in most cases are bright and active