Absolutely gutted

[LauraWinter]

Also in NewLounge 2...

My boy went in for his arthroscopies today (suspected OCD) and I was really hoping that he would have the usual problem- that is some floating bits of bone which were causing his lameness, could be removed and would have a good prognosis. However, it turns out there were no floating bits just cartilage damage/ thickening and soft bits in some places (I was in a bit of a daze when the vet rang so am struggling to remember exactly what he said) in two joints in both stifles, which were inoperable because had he removed the damagd bits what they would of been replaced with would have been no better aparently. So basically, there was nothing they could do surgically and he is going to be on a course of cartrophen injections with a long time off work and a fingers crossed that he becomes sound. He said prognosis for return to full work is 'guarded'

I am absolutely devastated. I saved up and borrowed to buy him back in May and I do have a mare aswell who I am just bringing back into work but she is just a hack really- I bought my boy after she gave me back my confidence after losing it for a while so that I could do a bit more- schooling, jumping, competing etc. He is only 6 and there is no way on this earth that I could get another horse. I keep them both on livery and it looks like I am resigned to hacking forever (the vet says his stifles will always be weak even if he does come sound and so the harder he works the more likely he will go lame again)

I am so upset

Does anybody have a horse with the same problem?? What are our experiences? The vet did say on the plus side the damage is in the lower range- it goes from 1-4 apparently with 4 being the worsta and he is a 1-2

 

[CBAnglo]

Sorry to hear. My boy has OCD in his left hock and is fully retired at 6 - not even a light hack. He is also kept on livery and I will keep him until he is in too much pain and has to be buted to walk.

There are quite a few people on here who have experience of OCD in stifles, lochpearl and lankydoodle are 2 that spring to mind so hopefully they can let you know what treatment and procedures they had.

 

[kerilli]

i had a mare who had OCD in both stifles which sounds quite similar to how your lad has it. vet did not operate, and mare got to 2* level. however, she was never lame with it, so i suspect it must have been very low grade.
really hope your lad comes right for you.

 

[AfricanBeauty]

My 9 y/o TB x Trakehner was diagnosed with mild OCD in March, but sounds like your boy has a much more severe diagnosis. She has it in both hind fetlocks, so had them medicated with antiinflamatories, hyonate, and steroids (if I remember correctly) and that worked for a bit. Just had Irap to see if that works a bit better - although shes had it medicated twice she is only very mildly lame when she's had it done, but is a sensitive mare and hasn't been moving normally, dragging toes, knocking jumps etc so I made the decision to medicate.
Because it was only mild, she had 4 days box-rest after treatment, and started working (long-reining) after about a week/ten days. Took the rehabilitation slowly and only increased the work/changed the type when she felt ready. This time she only had a week off, and is back in proper work relatively quickly (although weather is making it difficult at the moment).
Really hope your boy improves, and you are able to do some work with him even if its only light competing. Keep us updated.