2nd opinions and advice please!

[mazziek]

Hi,
Vet was out yesterday and did flexion tests on her front legs and is determined she has bad arthritus in her knees. She is 19, she has been sound for 18months and all of sudden was not feeling right in trot, so god vet out. Anyway, vet was pushing for x-rays and injecting her knees. She is insured but on mature horse insurance so not sure sh be covered for xrays, did explain this to the vet but kept pushing for xrays. When the flexions were carried out hossy was vv lame. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with arthritus? my pony is not a light hack type, she likes competing and kept busy. Anyway to the topic! i would like to get another vet out nd get her opinion, she is known for being more sensitive and constructive for those that are not flush

was wondering if anyone else has ever gone for a second opinion? i feel bad going behind my usual vet btu i want what is best for my pony.
Thankyou for getting to here and choccy bars for you all!!

 

[kombikids]

i would do the x rays,if she is lame especially. If its one x ray it will cost the same ish as getting another vet out anyway.

I have just had to do the same thing for my horse, goodluck.

think things like living out, frequent gentle exercise, bute and possibily adequan injections will help.

 

[MrsMozart]

What if you get second vet out and she too says x-ray?

I'm all for second opinions when necessary

, but in this case, you may be laying yourself open to extra expense.

Have you looked up flexion tests and results thereof on a Google search?

 

[AmyMay]

Have the x-rays done. Can't see the point in getting another vet to tell you exactly the same thing.

 

[SnowandSunshine]

I'd think about what you can achieve and what you want to do in the future. First check out how much the x-rays will be and if the insurance will pay (most veteran insurance won't as far as I know.) I suspect another vet will recommend x-rays IF you want to treat her with injections etc.

If you want to look at injections find out how long they will last/cost etc. They tend to be expensive and again insurance unlikely to pay. Mine had her hock injected and she was great for 2/3 months but then got worse again.

At the end of the day if she has arthritis then all x-rays will do is confirm its there - which you probably know anyway. And at 19 its not surprising. You could try out some glucosamine joint supplements first before you go to the expense of x-rays/injections as they can be very effective.

Tbh you may have to accept that she needs to slow down a bit. Mine is 21 and has arthritis in both hocks. She is quite lame on flexion and tends to stiffen up in her box. She is on a supplement which seems to be quite good. I couldn't honestly afford continual injections. My vet suggested riding 'little and often' rather than really long rides now and again. Light exercise is supposed to help arthritis. When she gets to the point where she seems too uncomfortable I will think about the bute option.

 

[connemaralass1]

If you find it is arthritis I would recommend Pernamax Equine (NZ green lipped mussel). My mare has arthritis in her right hock, lives out so gets gentle exercise, was originally on bute and a glucosamine supplement but has been gradually taken off both and is much better with Pernamax. She is 23 and I was recently asked by an equine physio if she was around 12! Their website is www.maxavita.com