5 vets stumped?!

dianchi

dianchi

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So as their are lots of you here and it's my competition sports horse to be please excuse the intrusion!

Ok I have a home bred ISH currently 16 mths. So far this year in June she got double septic joints in near side knee. Operated, flushed and sound. August got kicked by mum hoping lame, x-rayed, scanned no joint involvement two weeks box rest all fine.

Two weeks ago hoping lame. Couldn't say which foot to vet. Vet came found deep abcess in front foot. Week poultice and box rest front foot fine!

But now appears lameness and now swelling in offside hind (same as mum kicked), over hock joint (X-rays where clean).
Back Into RVC X-rays clean (no OCD phew), scanned slight issue on long collatoral ligament but nothing too scary/problematic. Work up showed 5/10 lame in trot, though sound in walk.

Massive debate as to go for exploratory arthroscopy in joint, but due to age too worried that they find nothing have bad recovery and cause more damage. All surgeons consulted 5 all in one go!

So sent home with two weeks box rest and bute for a week.

Options on return will be
X-ray and re-scan. Gotta do these
Bone scan- how effective is this in growing babies?
Exploratory arthroscopy- take the risk

Or leave her go for rest, box rest, turnout?

This is my next competition horse, she is insured for the vets fees so not too worried there.
But what have people done with their youngsters?
In back of my mind I'm thinking there is a fracture in there somewhere.

So thoughts, help, advice?
Will share choccy and wine!
 
The possibility of a fracture has to be ruled out first. Have MRI or CAT scans been discussed?

If there is no fracture, I would prefer to field rest (small, flat paddock) with a companion that's not going to do any further damage to your filly (preferably a younger and smaller than her yearling or very small, kind pony).
 
Not currently, will either be any good esp as she is a growing youngster? Sceptical of bone scan after being told due to growth plates will just all show up and any issue might not?
 
I just think that if there is another scan option that will show bones (and therefore rule out a fracture) then I would rather do that than the invasive option.
 
Scintography (sp) only one so far, vet bought up issue with multiple hot spots due to growth plates.

MRI and CT work how?
 
Computed tomography was first used in 1971 in human medicine in England. The image produced is reconstructed from many radiographic images taken of the animal. Very fine x-ray beams are sent through the body to detectors, which then send the signals to a computer which processes the image.

The tissue images that show up on the monitor consist of white, black, and shades of gray, called the gray scale. The amount of gray shows the ability of the tissue to absorb the x-ray beam. This helps to identify tissues that are normal or abnormal, such as brain tumor versus normal brain tissue. The computer typically images the height and width of the tissue, while newer machines can give a 3-D look. Better quality of the CT image is obtained by taking thinner slices with the x-ray beams.

CT scans provide better differentiation of soft tissue than conventional x-rays, since the gray scale can be controlled by the technician. A contrast media (dye) can also be injected into the patient's bloodstream to further increase the differentiation of tissue. The CT scan also does not superimpose the bone over the soft tissue, as it is only looking at a slice of the body at a time.
Click to expand...

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a very advanced form of diagnostic imaging that enables radiologistists to obtain very detailed pictures of the inside of the body. MRI is particularly useful for looking at the brain and the spine where conventional x rays can only show us boney detail.
Click to expand...

You would need to talk to your Vet to see whether or not either of these options are available or indeed if they would be helpful for diagnosing your filly's problem.
 
Hi,
What a difficult place to be.
I know you have your baby insured but I can't imagine that traveling backwards & forwards to the RVC is helping her limbs that much.....just a thought.
Maybe the small paddock with a companion is the best option for a while.
I hope she comes good for you.
Hazel
 
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