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  Discussion on I've tried everything
Author Message
New Member:
Carriec

Posted on Monday, Nov 1, 2004 - 4:15 pm:

Dr. O,
3 months ago my horse started coming up short in his left hind. He hasn't been worked in over a month and we've tried blocking every joint below the stifle, with the only success being about a 50% improvement when the stifle itself was blocked. I've had x-rays, ultrasound and recently tried Scintigrophy. The X-Rays and ultrasound were normal and the scintigrophy showed some minor uptake in the stifle, but nothing conclusive. My vet is telling me that my horse will be unrideable since we cannot localize the issue, but I don't want to give up on him yet. I don't have any aspirations of any competetive riding with him, he's just been a great companion and member of the family and I would love to just get him back to the point of walk, trot and trailrides. Do you have any thoughts on what to do next?

Thank you,

Carrie
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Nov 1, 2004 - 4:42 pm:

Hi Carrie,

I feel for you...just wanted to share my experience - it may help, it may not.

My horse came up VERY lame two years ago. Cosequin along with adequate warmup and he was ok.

Took off shoes to try barefoot last winter.

Put front shoes back on 3 months later..he was way too ouchy, but ok. Had a hitch and traveling short alternating between left and right hind.

Xrays had been done and vet believed he has DJD. Injected hocks...moved better, but still hitched and traveling short on right hind.

Massage - he moved wonderfully..no hitch.

One vet said to have him shod at 5 weeks. About 1.5 weeks before next farrier appointment (for the next 3-4 appointments), he pointed his front feet alternately and went off. I had a navicular scare...thank goodness that didn't come to fruition.

Had another vet look at him - he noticed his hind feet, basically had no heel on one.

It has now been one cycle with all four feet shod, and he's doing great. He is moving to a 6 week cycle...maybe 7 for the winter. One thing I learned out of all this? If your horse's feet aren't growing - which mine weren't, not very fast at least --- They hurt.

I'm quite sure you and your vet have exhausted my realm, but just in case wanted to note it.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 2, 2004 - 8:52 am:

Hello Carrie,
I think you have misunderstood your vet. That you cannot find the source of the lameness does not mean the horse will not come well. It does mean that you cannot accurtely prognose the lameness: the future is unknown. It seems to me you have two choices:

1) Further diagnostics that may lead to more specific therapy and prognosis.
2) Continued rest as some lamenesses may take up to a year to heal.

For more on diseases and further diagnostics of the stifle see, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Disease of the Stifle » Overview of Stifle Lameness.
DrO
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