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Discussion on Undiagnosed rear lameness
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Member:
Janice76
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 - 12:17 pm:
I own a 6 yo TB gelding off the track. When I got him he was fit and vetted clean. Subsequent colic surgery and loss of fitness revealed a possible slight stifle problem that only emerges when he's been off for some time. Hill work upon his recovery took care of it, and it hadn't been a problem (nor, thankfully, had the colic). The problem was always minor and we never had extensive diagnostics done, as it was extremely sporadic and cleared up quickly with work. We had no problems for months, doing extensive fitness on hills, flatwork, and starting over crossrails.
Several months ago the horse came in from the field very lame on that right hind. It appeared to be a stifle injury, but our vet couldn't quite place it. We took him to Auburn University, where the vets initially said stifle. Just to be sure before starting expensive xrays and ultrasound they blocked him. Surprise, he came back completely sound on the very first block (below the fetlock)! Xrays on the pastern and fetlock (and stifle) came back clean, as did the ultrasound. There was no heat or swelling anywhere, so they said give him several weeks stall rest, then turn out in a small paddock. I followed those instructions and he seemed to be coming back nicely. He was trotting mostly sound (not flexing sound) and I was looking forward to riding him in the near future when he came in lame again. I still couldn't find any swelling or heat or other indications of inflamation, so I put him back on stall rest. Although he's not as lame as he was, he's still quite off.
My vet looked at him yesterday and said again it was the stifle--but again, blocking indicated something below the hock. A field ultrasound showed what appeared to be tendon damage just above the fetlock.
We're all mystified, as he has never once shown any signs of inflamation in his leg, other legs, back, etc. Also, he trots exactly the same after flexion as before--shouldn't flexion exacerbate the lameness if it's tendon related? We're having more diagnostics done this afternoon by another vet and may go back to auburn for a more extensive workup.
I'm hoping somebody has suggestions on treatment in the interim as well as possible areas we should check or thoughts on the subject. Any ideas?
Incidentally, I'm considering changing his name to Lucky the Character Builder or Vet Bill. Either works.
Thanks,
Jan
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003 - 1:30 pm:
This may not help you any.. BUT.. my / all my horses are named VET BILL.. find another name..
LOL 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2003 - 7:00 am:
Hello Jan,
What we need is a accurate description of the blocks that have been done and the areas that have been radiographed and/or ultrasounded, along with a complete description of the findings from the diagnostic imaging, before we can make suggestions for further diagnostics. Concerning the diagnosis of lameness including the evaluation of flexion tests the article associated with this forum provides important background information.
It is important to consider this may or may not be related to the first lameness so reevaluation with this in mind is important.
DrO
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