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  Discussion on Treatment for a pelvic fracture
Author Message
Member:
Hally

Posted on Monday, Sep 25, 2006 - 9:13 pm:

Dr O,

I didnt want to butt into Roberts questions about pelvic fractures as I have a few questions myself about my 6 yr old warmblood gelding. It has been or will be three year in February 2007 that Cavas was diagnosed as not rideable due to a horrific injury as a weanling. (Flipping over a 4 foot fence at a full gallop) and ultrasounds that were possible, they did tell me that there was no way to get a diagnostic picture of what was going on in his pelvic area. A bone scan was an option, however at the time that would have ment a trailer ride from Central Alberta to Washington. Financially impossible for me! Now we have in Calgary a bone scan that would possibly give a clearer picture as to what happened to my gelding 5 1/2 yrs ago. Having said that is there any point in any of this? My vets at the time did say that even if they managed to find out where the fracture was, there was nothing they could do as hip surgery in horses isnt feasible. It amazes me that he can rip around the pasture with no sign of pain, yet get him on a 20 foot lunge line or sit on his back and its a totally different story.
Member:
Hally

Posted on Monday, Sep 25, 2006 - 9:18 pm:

Dr O,

I managed to erase some of the original text when I pushed the post button!
Sorry.
"After as many xrays, blocks and ultrasounds that were possible, they did tell me that there was no way to get a diagnostic picture of what was going on in his pelvic area. "
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 26, 2006 - 7:14 am:

Hally, when you ask is there any point(?), it depends on what your goals and resources are. With respect to fractures, bone scans localize areas of inflammation, but don't often give information that is specific enough to use alone for fixing. The chance this will localize and visualize a fixable lesion is low. If your goal is to better define your horses injuries, the chance you will learn something new about your horses lesions is better.
DrO
Member:
Hally

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 26, 2006 - 10:42 am:

Yes I understand that Dr O. However, after this time lapse and given that the vets are telling me that pelvic fractures are basically untreatable if they dont heal up sound by themselves, is there a point beside being more informed about what damage was done, in pursuing further treatment beyond diagnostic information. At what point do you stop and accept the fact that you have done all that is possible. The horse is in no pain when not ridden. I would pursue further avenues if I knew I had a chance of riding him again. Statistically what are the chances?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 26, 2006 - 10:38 pm:

Hally, your post suggests you assume everyone's goals and resources are the same. Not everyone stops at the same point and I cannot guess your goals nor do I know your resources. For some just knowing is worth considerable expense but not for others. There are no statistics for such a question but I thought I was clear when I said: "The chance this will localize and visualize a fixable lesion is low".
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 12:15 am:

Hally, I can really relate to your desire to do more. "AT what point do you stop and accept the fact that you have done all that is possible" is the "question of the year." I don't know if you've read the posts on my mare Libby. I have finally accepted the fact she is most probably going to be a "pasture pal" the rest of her life.

I spent a lot of money and talked with a lot of people before I came to this decision because I just couldn't accept it without feeling I had done all I could and investigated all I could.

You are in a difficult place right now. It is so hard to know what is right and at what point to quit, and then to accept the truth about your horse if "the truth" is less than what you had hoped for. I wish I could hold your hand, or give you a hug; not that it would help a lot, but so you would know you aren't alone.

I think you'll know when to quit. I think you will quit when you can finally accept and be comfortable with the horse's diagnosis regardless of what the diagnosis turns out to be.

Best wishes to you... and your gelding.
Member:
Hally

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 11:06 am:

Ouch Dr O!
Member:
Hally

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 11:08 am:

Thanks Sara for your kind words. I have accepted the injury it took a while but still every time I go out to see him it pulls at the old heart string to think what could have been!
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 11:55 am:

I know. Every time I think of Libby, I visualize how she looked trotting out with her brillance and joy of movement. She was wonderful to ride and I was really looking forward to showing her. I know you feel the same way about your gelding - sadness for what could have been, yet happiness that he's still alive.
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