An update on my arthritic baby Missie (with photos)

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sfward

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A while ago I posted in CR about my 5 year old eventer who was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Well I thought I'd do an update on how she's getting on, didn't seem any point putting it in CR though given that it doesn't look like she's going to be doing much competing for quite some time
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After her diagnosis she had steroid injections on 9th January, and about 2 weeks later came back into gentle work - lunging as advised by the vet. Initially I was quite hopeful as she seemed ok when I first started working her, and I expected her to continue to improve but in fact overall if anything she's got worse. Although not exactly lame she is definitely uncomfortable and unlevel behind and doesn't seem to be improving as I had hoped. She's looser in her back since we've got rid of the soreness which was a secondary symptom of her compensating for discomfort behind, but if you watch her hind legs she is definitely not right. Certainly she is not sound enough to be ridden
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She's back at the vet's today for a check up and some remedial shoeing. I've just spoken to the vet and he agrees that she hasn't improved - apparently it's quite unusual for them to not respond to the steroids, so he is going to do some more investigation to make sure that there is nothing else going on (eg. a suspensory problem) so he can decide what to do next. So keep your fingers crossed for us
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Here are some photos of her from Saturday, we were just having a play doing some gentle loose schooling and join up
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They're a bit rubbish, as I'm a useless photographer, particularly with a moving target! She's put on quite a bit of condition over the last couple of weeks, although she's obviously nowhere near as muscled as she was when in proper work. How do you think she's looking?

Missie18thFeb3.jpg


Missie18thFeb6.jpg


Missie18thFeb5.jpg


Missie18thFeb4.jpg
 
Lovely little thing - so, so sad.

We had a little horse put down at the beginning of the week because of arthritis in the hocks - he was 12, and a heartbreaker.

She's looking really well, and I guess the tough decision for you will be what to do with her ultimately...
 
That's so sad, poor thing... It'd break my heart to have to do that with Missie. I just hope she will improve enough to be ridden, even if it is only for hacking and low level stuff. But we will see. Fingers crossed
 
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She is lovely! Would you think about breeding from her or would the arthritis prevent this?

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I was going to talk to the vet about that today. I mentioned it this morning and he didn't say 'oh definitely not' so who knows? It would be nice if I could as she is a lovely horse, such a sweet temperament, nice conformation and very talented... I guess it might be a risk though.
 
Personally wouldnt breed from something that has had any sort of joint problem at that age. Fingers crossed she makes a recovery anyway, alot of horses with this condition do go onto making a full recovery.
 
She is so pretty, I was going to say the same as Minkymoo but can osteoarthritis be hereditary or put too much strain on a pregnant mare?
 
I've just spoken to the vet and he says he thinks there's something in her right hind foot causing her pain as she improved when this was blocked. So he's going to keep her in overnight and do some more investigation. I hope it's something simple that can be easily rectified and not more serious problems to add to the list...
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On the plus side he thinks the hocks have improved a bit.
 

She looks very well
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sorry to see she is no better though. I'd have a chat with the vet about breeding but echo what the others have said - if she's developed this at five the chances are it is nature (ie genetic) not nurture. Do you knowe her breeder? It would be interesting to trace her lines to see if there has been an occurence?

So sad when she shows so much promise. Would perhaps turning her away help the recovery? Since with your coming baby
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you would need to take it easy on the riding anyway?

Good luck with the vet. x
 
Thanks J. I'm getting really peed off with the whole thing now, I just spoke to the vet and am feeling like he doesn't really know what's going on meanwhile I'm spending a lot of money on investigation! This foot thing is worrying me too, he said it might be to do with foot conformation but has cancelled her remedial farriery appointment for today
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It must be so frustrating not knowing what's going on. (I can't remember but is it Minster treating her?)

She's TBX isn't she? Does she have very thin soles?

It is good news though that her hocks have improved a bit!
 
Yeah it's Minster. She's pretty much full TB, actually doesn't have bad feet but she is a bit back at the heels which doesn't help...
I'm trying to feel hopeful about her hocks but just a bit confused with what the vet is saying to me at the minute
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She's such a lovely horse! Fingers crossed she'll show improvements soon.

There is always a confusing period when random ideas and problems are bouncing around. Give it 6 months though and I'm sure everything will be clearer.

If it is any consolation, when jack had his injections, he had a period afterwards where he was so ill I thought it would have to be curtains, but then 'Ping!' he suddenly decided to stop malingering and do some proper work. hang on in there!
 
Hi sorry to hear that you might have another problem with Missie.If it is still the hocks dont forget you can go down the surgery route as long as you do it within a year of your first claim for her arthritis.
She looks lovely bit biased but I think tbs have lovely kind faces.
I havent forgotten about magnetic hock boot but obviously might need it for a while.Let me know how you get on with vet.
Ollie goes out on saturday afte 4 1/2 weeks cant wait!!!!
 
I go with Cellie - if no improvement, you could look into the surgery? I had all the injections, and no real improvement (about 2/10 lame still...) had surgery 2 years ago, and (fingers crossed) she is still sound. It means time off, but mine was five at the time too, so not too much of a problem?

R.e Breeding - See, my surgeon said that it would be ok to breed, as long as the stallion had good bone. I don't think that I would risk it though - would be really unfair to bring another one into the world. But....that is what he said. I am thinking about it, so will try to figure out why he said that. With TB's could it be that she was broken in early? We think that is what happened to Alice.

Is it bilateral or just one hock? Bone spavin right? So your hoping for fusion?
 
Give her time - don't lunge and don't panic. I knew a five yo that got spavin and was fully sound in 6 months - on field rest alone. Mine at 13 was dog lame in the summer (12) and I was for giving up. Someone offered to do free healing on him
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(so I let them
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) but mostly he fixed himself - having had steroid injections 18 months beforehand (10) for spavin and then come temporarily sound.

Nerve blocks can travel so I wouldn't rule out the problem being higher up......

And don't breed off her as the problem could well be hereditary and will undoubtably cause her discomfort carrying in any case. Let the problem stop here. Please.

Good luck.
 
Get her x-rayed if you haven't already. It will tell you if there is something going on with her hocks (ie osteoarthritis) or not. I would also look at her back as one of the causes of back legs being dragged is a problem in the back. Hope this helps and good luck.
 
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