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Discussion on Possible Sidebone
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 29, 2006 - 5:45 pm:
Sir,
Had Demetrius to the farrier today (his first time in Ok) and the farrier noticed that there was some minimal swelling above the heelbulbs on the pastern of the right foreleg. Coincidentally Demetrius has had a few lesions from bugs or stickers in the field or probable fungus that have crusted and I have been treating. There are no signs of drainage but the lesions (3mm sized scabs, approximately 4 of them) seem to be healing well. I put on some scarlet oil on on Wed and I suspect there might be some localized inflammation from the irritations and the skin is now pink because either the scarlet oil or a localized inflammatory process. It's a little tender to touch and he doesn't want me to debride the scabs but there is no drainage or heat and he is afebrile.
Because he is Arabian and they are susceptible to developing side bone (he says) he thought he might have a minor case of such, but will wait to see him in six weeks when the lesions have healed to make the final determination as there is no way to distinguish if the swelling is from side bone or from the lesions (obviously the only way to make a true diagnosis would be radiological studies?)
I presume the inflammatory process from localized infection or trauma can cause the fullness look and swelling that is a sign indicative of side bone but not be side bone. He has never been lame but I am now worried....should I just wait to the lesions heal than reevaluate? I sware I have never seen a difference in his pasterns on any of his legs until now so I am hoping it's localized inflammation from the lesions. And I go over his legs every time time I see him.
Does side bone develop acutely or are they born with it? He said no worries.....but well...I am a bit.
Any words of wisdom? I have read some on side bone in the discussions.....following your directions to articles for other readers but was wondering if you could comment on
Sidebone swelling vs localized inflammation from injury, bugs, fungas etc.
v/r
Corinne
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 29, 2006 - 6:13 pm:
Corinne, my boy has significant sidebone...very significant...I'm told it's caused by unbalanced feet and is not a source of lameness.
I don't believe it's genetic (born with it), Arabians are not prone to it, and I'm 90% sure it doesn't cause swelling or is caused by the lesions you describe...not sure what your farrier is thinking tho...
I'll be curious to read what others think...
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 29, 2006 - 9:27 pm:
Aileen,
Thanks for writing back. Excuse my ignorance on the issue as I have never heard of sidebone but as soon as he said calcification of cartilage attached to the coffin bone I was worried about the implications if indeed my boy has it because in advanced cases parts of the calicification can fracture and break off? And anything that has to do with the coffin bone freaks the bejeezes out of me.
Is your boy okay?
This is one of the best farriers in the region and he will have him balanced in no time if he was unbalanced. I think that's when the pastern/hoof angles are off between the fronts and back (have no clue really)? His hind angles were off per our last vet examination and the new farrier said in a few trims he will be good to go.
I am still hoping it's just localized swelling from whatever bit him or scratched him.
Thanks!
Corinne
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 29, 2006 - 10:12 pm:
No excuses necessary, Corinne, I completely understand the "freaks the bejeesus" out of you...it seems I get freaked out a lot ... lol...
My boy is not ok, but every vet (five total) that have seen his xrays have told me that his lameness problems are not due to his sidebone...His latest lameness appears to be his hocks. I'll know more on Friday.
It's awesome you have a wonderful farrier ... They are few and far between! I'm just confused about what he said because I've never heard it...
The only other thing I can tell you I've heard is that as long as you get his feet balanced ... if it is sidebone... the sidebone will not get worse.
Unfortunately, I didn't know when my horses feet were unbalanced.  So his got really bad before I switched farriers.
What did your farrier say about the front feet, were they unbalanced?
I've only been told this information, I don't know it, so wait for Dr. O 
Good luck!!
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 - 12:33 am:
Aileen.....his front feet were fine in terms of balance it was his backs that need some work.
I guess when Dr O writes in the morning he can clear things up. I really do appreciate you sharing your experiences with me. Good Luck with your guy as well. Please keep me informed of his condition and share any new information you have on the subject because even if Demetrius does not have sidebone I am all for learning about a horse malady that I am unfamiliar with.
Have a great rest of your weekend.
V/r
Corinne
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 - 11:56 am:
Hello Corinne,
I have had a sidebone article in the wings for awhile that needs a few touches. I will see if I can get it posted in the next few days to help.
DrO
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 - 1:28 pm:
Thanks Dr O. Will be looking forward with interest.
v/r
Corinne
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jul 31, 2006 - 11:15 am:
Corrine the article is up at Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Sidebone and the Collateral Cartilages.
DrO
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Monday, Jul 31, 2006 - 1:26 pm:
Thanks Dr. O.
I appreciate the article on sidebone. In relation to my post, I don't think the puffiness above the heelbulbs near the coronet band on Demetrius has anything to do with anything other than the normal inflammatory process r/t some sort of localized reaction to bugs, fungal infection or trauma. Not to mention the lesions are in more than one location and no other farrier (the training barn had the best) had ever mentioned sidebone (he was trimmed on a regular schedule) nor have I ever noticed any protrusions either visual or that can be palpated to indicate such. Will keep my fingers crossed and this article printed out for my records just in case there are any noticeable developments in the future after the skin reaction clears or he develops lameness for no apparent reason (even if it's rare in sidebone unless it's in advanced stages or it fractures)
Thanks! Much appreciated.
v.r
Corinne
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