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  Discussion on Swollen hock and lower legs
Author Message
Member:
Jillmike

Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2004 - 1:24 am:

My 12 year old warmblood cross mare's right hock swelled up last night about two hours after a work out. This is going to be long so I apologize now. She hadn't been ridden in years when I bought her so I began (with the help of a trainer) conditioning her. She is in good health, good weight, up to date on teeth, shoes, and shots. I began lunging her 10 min a day 5 days a week and gradually worked up to riding lightly (walk and trot) for 30 min a day. For the last week and a half her ankles have been swelling up. No heat, no lameness, just swelled. The trainer thought it was just because she was still out of shape and to continue to ride her lightly. The legs stayed puffy. Yesterday I longlined her for about 20 min at walk, trot, and canter. Then the swelling and heat in the hock came up. I have hosed the leg several times today but it seems to be bigger today than it was yesterday. She is not lame. I am going call to have the vet out but what should I do until then? I've been riding her for a month without incident
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2004 - 7:19 am:

Jillian
Swelling in the hock can be caused by damage to many structures but it is important to distinguish intraarticular swelling (bog spavin) from swelling outside of the articular space. First aid in both cases is similar for the non-lame horse but the intrarticular form should be pursued more aggresively with the help of your vet, see Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses.
DrO
Member:
Jillmike

Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2004 - 8:13 pm:

The swelling has spread to other areas of her hock. Now its both sides and front. There is still heat though not really bad and she is not lame or stiff- in fact she doesn't even seem to notice it at all. We gave her some bute to try and get the swelling down and are going to have the vet out to see her soon. Thanks Dr O.
-Jillian
Member:
Jillmike

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004 - 11:14 pm:

The vet finally made it out today and took some x-rays. He said she has severe arthritis resulting from possible trauma to the hock before I even bought her. He recommended keeping her on joint supplement (though he wanted me to switch from generic and put her on cosequin)and giving her IV Legend to keep her sound for riding. What he really couldn't answer me was why hasn't she shown any symptoms until now? And even now the swelling was almost gone and she has never been lame or stiff. He said that her hock has been like that for a while but why couldn't anyone tell if it really is as severe as he says it is?
-Jillian
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 7:14 am:

Jillian, did he explain which structures of the hock where swollen (particularly was it intraarticular) and which joints in the hock where arthritic (there are 4 joints in the hock)?
DrO
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 9:40 am:

Jillian, I'm sorry to hear of the diagnosis from your vet. Following through on Dr.O's inquiry would be valuable to answering your questions and perhaps a second opinion is warranted. Also, you don't indicate whether or not x-rays were taken ... if not, a second opinion or second visit by your vet would be warranted.

On a personel note I always question why a specific brand name of medicine or supplement is recommended over a generic ... especially when a variant product may contain higher amounts of the substance sought at a lower cost. Did your vet say why Cosequin? And did he/she recommend what dosage of the ingredients should be administered?

One of the qualities of Dr.O and HorseAdvise is that since they can't see the 'patient' they must ask very specific questions to assist in answering our inquiries (thank you Dr.) ... but it is a trait we as horse owners should adopt when dealing with our vets ... don't be a pest, but question them on their diagnosis until you are satisfied with their answers, so you can make intelligent choices.

It amazes me the number of questions we have (including me) AFTER our vets visit.



Member:
Jillmike

Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 1:48 pm:

It all came at me so fast yesterday that I can't seem to remember everything he said about it. He showed me the xrays and pointed out where bone was trying to fuse and also no spaces where there should have been space. I looked on your diagram of the hock and couldn't pinpoint it so I'll ask him again. He also mentioned bone spavin and synovitis(sp?). Rick-He said to give Cosequin because that's what he gives his horses and feels it is the best. He said if not cosequin then Flex Free.
-Jillian
Member:
Jillmike

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 - 11:31 pm:

I have not been able to get ahold of the vet yet. Today another boarder also couldn't get ahold of him so she called out another to see her horse. While he was out I decided to get a second opinion. I told him as much as I could about what the first vet said. This one had me walk and trot her and her felt her legs. Then he said he didn't think it was necesery to take more xrays. He said that I should try to build her heels up a little in the hind and to go ahead and ride her - walk, trot, canter, and low jumps. He said that if she becomes lame then he would take more xrays. So now I have two completely differing diagnosis. Her hock is not swelled anymore and hasn't been for a few days. If vet number 1 ever calls me back I will post what he says is affected in the joint.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 - 11:16 am:

It is not that the diagnosis is different (I don't see a diagnosis by the second vet) Jillian. This vet sees a horse going soundly and no reason to not to try to ride her.
DrO
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 - 12:09 pm:

Jillian,
Perhaps when Vet #1 calls you back, you could ask about the riding and the heel elevation that Vet #2 suggested and see what gives. Those hock joints are quite a mouthful to pronounce and I have to listen very closely to my vet when we discuss my geldings hocks that have bone spavin. It has helped me to write things down to think about later when my head isn't swimming with all these big words.
Wishing you good luck on the outcome.
Susan B.
Member:
Jillmike

Posted on Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 - 12:18 am:

Thank you so much. Vet #1 stated absolutely no riding whatsoever unless she was given legend shots and then only light riding. He still hasn't called me back yet so I don't think my barn is going to use him again (this was the first time we'd used him although he was recommended by the boarder who had to call vet #2 out). I think I'm just going to keep her on a good joint supplement. I've had her feet done and I'm just going to ride lightly. She is bred so I won't be able to ride her too much longer anyways. Thank you again for all of your help. I will write back when (if) I ever get ahold of the vet.
Jillian
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