Which nerve is damaged in Sweeney, particularly in draft breeds that pull heavy loads?

Which nerve is damaged in Sweeney, particularly in draft breeds that pull heavy loads?

• A. Axillary
• B. Radial
• C. Suprascapular
• D. Long thoracic

Answer: (C)

Sweeney is a shoulder neuropathy caused by injury to the suprascapular nerve, most often from traction in draft animals that pull heavy loads. This nerve supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, which are key stabilizers of the shoulder and help initiate and control the limb’s movement. When the nerve is damaged, these muscles waste away, especially along the cranial region of the scapula, producing the characteristic shoulder atrophy called Sweeney. The heavy pulling strains the nerve as it passes near the scapula, leading to denervation over time. Clinically you see visible muscle wasting around the shoulder and weakness in stabilizing and abducting the limb. Other nerves listed would cause different patterns of weakness or winging that aren’t typical of Sweeney, so the suprascapular nerve is the one implicated here.

Sweeney is a shoulder neuropathy caused by injury to the suprascapular nerve, most often from traction in draft animals that pull heavy loads. This nerve supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, which are key stabilizers of the shoulder and help initiate and control the limb’s movement. When the nerve is damaged, these muscles waste away, especially along the cranial region of the scapula, producing the characteristic shoulder atrophy called Sweeney. The heavy pulling strains the nerve as it passes near the scapula, leading to denervation over time. Clinically you see visible muscle wasting around the shoulder and weakness in stabilizing and abducting the limb. Other nerves listed would cause different patterns of weakness or winging that aren’t typical of Sweeney, so the suprascapular nerve is the one implicated here.