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  Discussion on Bone Spavin on radiographs
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Posted on Monday, Oct 2, 2000 - 8:07 pm:

I recently had a prepurchase exam done on a 2yr old quarter horse that I was considering. I had a local vet do the basic prepurchase and take radiographs of the front feet and hocks. This vet told me that everything was good (including the radiographs) except that the horse did take a lame step when the left hock was flexed. I had this vet send the radiographs to my vet for his evaluation. Much to my dismay, my vet told me that the horse had hock spurs (bone spavin) in the left hock that he considers advanced. This horse did not show any signs of lameness when I saw him worked. My vet is excellent and I do not doubt what he saw on the radiographs but he is extremely careful. My question is, is it possible for a horse to have bone spavin and never become lame and do joints really fuse or is that hog wash? This horse is a really nice horse and I don't want to pass on him if there is a possibility that the bone spavin may never become a major issue.

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 3, 2000 - 8:36 am:

Hello Zita,
Bone spavin is a horsemans term for painful hocks with a firm (bony) enlargement usually on the inside lower portion of the hock. But it has no place in the interpretation of radiographs, it would be pretty meaningless to say: the radiographs show bone spavin.

Study the articles on arthritis of the hocks, prepurchase exams, and the one associated with this post: interpretation of radiographs your questions and related questions are answered in detail there.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 3, 2000 - 11:37 am:

Dear Dr. O, Thank you for responding so quickly. I probably should clarify the fact that my vet stated that the radiographs showed bone spurs on the lower inside left hock which, when I pressed him for more clarification, he said would lead to bone spavin. I realize that each case is individual and I have read and reread the articles mentioned but I am still confused on whether or not this is a conditioned that can be easily managed (or maybe someday fused) or am I looking at a continuing lameness nightmare. Please keep in mind that this horse has not shown any signs of lameness, past or present.

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 4, 2000 - 7:41 am:

Hello Jessa,
As the articles explain radiographic lesions correlate poorly with lameness and I always put much more emphasis on the physical findings. However without examining the horse and radiographs I cannot answer your questions accurately from here. Would I accept ANY radiographic lesion: no. I also have no past history as to what treatments might be being used to keep the horse in this condition or whether your use might be harder than the previous use. You mentioned fusion is a possible issue here. There are dozens of factors like this and I do not have access to a single one. If you are confused you should follow the recommendation of your trainer and veterinarian.
DrO
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