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  Discussion on Long term prognosis for ringbone
Author Message
New Member:
Jrisch

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2004 - 3:42 pm:

Hi Dr. O. My barrel racing horse came up lame last summer and was diagnosed with ringbone in the back right pastern, around the joint. Radiographs and blocking were performed to make the diagnosis. The bony ridge is very noticeable. The vet suggested I treat him with bute for 10 days, then bring him back and for a steroid injection to see if it would help. However, when I brought him back he was limping so badly the vet told me not to waste my money. He did tell me to turn him out until spring and see if he got any better, then we could consider the injection again. He has been turned out on the back 40 and his limping is very pronounced, in fact it is so bad that I brought him into the barn, in preparation for putting him down, as he seems to be in serious pain. This is a very expensive open rodeo horse, so I am hesitant to put him down if there is any iota of hope that he could recover, even if it took a few years. My vet and husband tell me no, but I think I need a second opinion to feel comfortable.
Member:
Terivc

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2004 - 7:42 pm:

Hi, I have a now two year old filly with ringbone of back left pastern, was very lame(3 legged and to the point of putting down), but my vets suggested shock wave therapy to fuse the bones quicker and pasture rest and it has worked. It took 4 treatments 2-3 weeks apart and about 8 months, but she can run now!!(Easy Jet Too and Dash for Cash bloodlines) Just thought I'd pass my story on in case you haven't checked into the shock wave therapy yet.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2004 - 6:01 am:

There are several questions here Jennifer. It may be possible to return this horse to soundness and a lot hinges on whether the coffin joint is involved. I would recommend you send the radiographs to a equine surgeon for an opinion on whether fusion will help this horse. But you seem to be concerned about the humaneness of allowing the horse to continue with so much pain: I cannot judge that from here. Perhaps bute until fusion might be a solution. The sort of tissue disruption that results from Shockwave therapy is logical but I have not seen any particulars on this use.
DrO
Member:
Nathalie

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2004 - 6:19 am:

How long can you safely give a horse bute before his stomach (or other organs?) get damaged?
Member:
Jrisch

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2004 - 5:21 pm:

Thanks Dr. O, I will go ahead and pursue this further before I make a decision. Bute doesn't seem to do much for him, but he will run around with the other horses if I turn him out.

One more question - Any idea how much fusion costs?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 6:11 am:

The surgery is done a number of ways and the cost of the surgeon varies tremendously: contact your local surgical facility. For information on bute and adverse effects see Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Anti-inflammatories: NSAID's, Steroids, and Arthritis Treatment »
Phenylbutazone (Bute).
DrO
Member:
Hunnemup

Posted on Friday, Nov 5, 2004 - 1:08 pm:

I was shocked when the radiographs for a 9 yo Shire Cross I am trying out came back with early Ringbone on his left front pastern. He has always been completely sound, passed all his flexion tests beautifully, and is perfectly sound during and after long afternoons of foxhunting. He has a great forward-going, happy, healthy attitude.
The radiographs showed ringbone in the middle of his pastern, slighly closer to his coffin joint which may or may not show deterioration. The previous owner is sending 4 year old x-rays for comparison.
All of the postings I have read deal with pain and lameness associated with Ringbone. Is it possible for a horse with Ringbone to be sound and would that soundness be maintainable?
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