This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Pedal Osteitis »
  Discussion on PO coffin bone parallel to sole
Author Message
Member:
Lala

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2003 - 10:51 am:

Dr. O,

After pictures but no nerve blocks I have received a diagnosis of PO in both front feet of my 2 yo.

Vet's reading of her radiographs to me was that the left fore shows worse deterioration in the coffin bone than the right and that the left coffin bone instead of having a 7 degree angle to the sole is parallel. Lameness had been showing most recently in his right fore. He does not have any body pain, nothing shows up with flex tests. Our next proposed step is to consult with farrier about corrective shoeing.

We were considering doing further diagnostic work in spring with nerve blocks.

But -- this has been described to me as an irreversible condition, he is only two years old and already lame. What are the projected types of treatment expected over his lifetime, probabilities of further problems such as navicular, etc. and his functionality and pain level?

I could see him as a pasture mate keeping yearlings company but not sure he will be fit for much else.

Any insights, questions I should be asking, paths for vet and me to explore?

Have other members faced this with a young horse? What have you done?

Thanks all, Fiona
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2003 - 7:13 am:

Fiona, as the previous posts in the article outline this is not a diagnosis, it is a description of a pathological process. What is causing the process becomes critical to your questions. I strongly suggest you have the radiographs reviewed by a radiologist familiar with equine pictures.
DrO
Member:
Lala

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 10, 2003 - 11:16 am:

Dear Dr. O,

Just to follow up inspired by Bonny's posts on shoeing.

Condition seems to be caused by conformation and his grazing and other habits aggravated by backing him too young in Feb-March for four weeks. He may also have had some infection from the vertical cracks he got in the front of his hooves when he was away for training.

Cornell reviewed the rads and confirmed what my vet had to say. It was good to get a second opinion but not as informative as I had hoped.

Having looked to past and present now looking to future.

I'm going to depend on you and Bonny and the other posters on her thread as my support group (no I'm not about to fall down on the cross ties to test you).

Tomorrow this guy is going to have his first shoes nailed on -- probably with pads. He is usually quite good for having his hooves handled but everytime we cross a new frontier I get nervous -- and just a bit excited because he can be quite a star at times! This is why the description of what is/has happened to his coffin bones was so upsetting. He is so intelligent and focussed on learning -- (as opposed to his flighty year younger pasture mate) picking things up almost as if by ESP.

Anyway I really hope tomorrow goes well because after all the dignostic work my vet and Cornell has done and another vet's opinion it seems he will now have to wear shoes for life. But allowing for a little optimism because the third vet I talked to about this said he has seen significant improvements simply with the shoeing. Can't wait to see him comfortable. Had some previews of coming attractions in the two feet of snow we got and want to see the whole movie! I need consolation for losing my dreams of barefoot TBs --ironic in this case as he actually has nice big feet with lovely strong hoofwall. Quel waste of hoofwall let's hope no waste of whole horse!

Stay tuned, I'll post Friday!

Fiona

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 5:36 am:

Fiona, what conformational defect does your horse have that has resulted in pedal osteitis? This really does not make sense to me. It the horse did have serious osteomyelitis in both feet in the past, they might leave the bone weakened but that would be unusual without a prolonged bout of serous front limb lameness.

Anyway, without having seen the horse or the radiographs it is hard to say much, it just is this is such an abused diagnosis, maybe this last vet is right and things are not as bad as everyone seems to think.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC