Another Maiden update - long!

[RachelB]

Thought I had better post in here again not NL but this is a follow-on from this post.

I just re-read this before posting, and thought I had better add a *RANT ALERT*!!

The vet who did the MRI told me in no uncertain terms that our prognosis was very poor for any recovery to soundness. He also said that there were treatments we could try but my vet would call me today to discuss everything (this was Friday's phone call from the MRI vet who Maiden was referred to). So I've just got back from visiting my vet to see where we go from here, and the answer... he doesn't want to say. I think TBH he wants us to give up with her enitrely (based on a 30% chance of recovery) and/or he wants rid of her, having diagnosed the problem he thinks his job is done and he wants no part in her potential rehabilitation and recovery. I TOTALLY understand that the chances of anything working are VERY slim, but I kept telling him over and over that I have no choice, I didn't buy a horse to give up at the first hurdle, and if I don't spend a year or more trying with Maiden then I'll have to spend five years completely horseless (can't afford another now) so I may as well give her a go. Not to mention that she's worth it, she's not "just a horse" because she is also a great friend and such a character... but the vet just didn't "get" it. I am so furious, he didn't even really want to try to explain what we could do to try and help her, he just wanted to dash off and have rid of us. Eventually I managed to shed my usual reserved and shy outer and got a bit more confident, enough to force him to recommend a plan of action (walking 10 mins a day for a month, 20 mins a day another month, 30 mins a day for the third then review case and possibly turn away for another three months before reviewing again) and I also forced a tube of Sedalin from him, "just in case". He was very reluctant about the Sedalin, saying that if I can't handle her I shouldn't be thinking of walking her and should just give up (I can handle her, I just want the Sedalin in case she flips which is VERY rarely, and I think TBH I'm adult enough and have enough common sense to know when to and when not to use the stuff). He also thought that seeing as we don't have the facilities to turn her out 24/7 and we also don't have a horsewalker, that we should give up. I got the impression that had I been incredibly wealthy and had many grooms to do it for me, he'd be happy to help me rehabilitate her. I don't have lots of money and I don't have a groom, but I do have TIME and PATIENCE to be walking her and looking after her! I have enough money to be putting into keeping her even though I'm getting no obvious "use" out of her... he seemed to think that seeing as I can't ride her I'd want rid of her and want to get another horse, or at least want to be able to stop paying livery fees for an un-rideable horse.
Sorry that probably didn't make much sense, glad to have got it out though as I've been fuming all the way home!
So basically the short version is that I'm changing vet to a decent one who is prepared to give her a go and to support me and her. And I'm starting walking her for 10 mins a day, otherwise she's on total box rest. I didn't dare mention anything like the magnetic boots I'm putting on her, I thought he would have laughed! I wanted to just ask if I would be harming her putting them on (not if he thought it would help her as I know what vets are like about magnets and the like) but I thought sod it, I'm putting them on anyway. Seems to me we're on our own here! *sigh* I just hope the other vets have enough room on their books for us!
Thanks for reading if you got this far!

 

[Bossanova]

Oh dear!
Tbh, you probably are fairly unique in what you're doing for Maiden, I doubt many people would carry on (me being a hearltess cow wouldnt) But you know whats best for her and if you want to do it, I think you're absolutely right doing what you are.

 

[ihatework]

I'm a great believer in letting nature take it's time to heal. If the horse is sound enough to be turned out I'd personally just turn her away for a year if you are uninsured or change vets to someone who is willing to provide support and treatment if you have insurance cover.
I know nothing about DDFT injury, but is it suitable for this new stem cell treatment?

 

[RachelB]

My vet told me there are no treatments (depsite MRI vet telling me there were and that my vet would discuss them with me). I think he just wants rid of us really, especially as I constantly call the clinic to pester him as it takes him so long to do anything (at least a week for everything, and it takes him at least 24 hours to call me back if I call him). We are insured and have £4000 of treatment money left for that, but obviously if there are no treatments then this is useless! But we have the money to keep her and pay her livery and feed bills etc. so can carry on easily. I think TBH we need to keep her in for 3-6 months to let it heal as best we can before turning her out, if we put her out now she will definately prat around and tear it even more. That goes for if we're carrying on or if we're giving up, so even if we went with the vet on this we'd still have to keep her in first! She is sound in a straight line and lame on the turn (both ways), and would settle turned out after a week or so pretty easily. So either way we are going to have to keep her stabled for 6 months and then turn her away, then if we're lucky and she comes sound we can start her rehab work after a year or so.
Boss - I can totally understand why you wouldn't carry on though, you are a competitor and don't have horses just to have them, but to be able to ride and compete. You're definately related to your sister I'm afraid! The way I see it I could do three things, 1) PTS - NO way as she is not ready to go, she's perfectly happy alive; 2) stable her for 6 months long enough for it to heal a bit, then turn her away permanently as a companion or broodmare, and I won't have a horse for at least five years as I have to start a "horse fund" from scratch (plus pay back student loan in the meantime); 3) stable her for 6 months with progressive walk work in the hope the tendon will repair properly, turn her away for another 6 months/ year/ more, and if she ever comes sound we can try working her lightly again, that way I get to still have a horse and look after her. Either of the last 2 options mean spending the same amount of money and time on her, but the second one gives me hope (however small). So as far as I can see I have no choice, I have to go for option 3!
Will call the other vets anyway tomorrow and hopefully they may be more willing to support me and her and may give me a better plan of action!

 

[dozzie]

I had a horse who was given 20% chance of recovery. The vets wanted to put her down. She was very well bred and was worth keeping as a broodmare so I was willing to give her a chance. Plus I think I would have always wondered if she would have been one of the 20%. Unfortunately she wasnt and had to be pts but I never regretted giving her the chance. At least i knew when I had her pts it was the right thing to do.

Id go for it if you can afford it and are willing to try for her, especially if she has a good temperament. Just remember you may need to make a hard decision later,( but you might not) but if you do you will have given her the best chance.

 

[josephinebutter2]

So sorry to hear this!

Do you know anyone who can recommend a good vet for a 2nd opinion - perhaps you could call the vets who did the MRI and ask for a chat with them about it?

At a time like this, you really need a vet you trust and can rely on.

I do hope it all works out for you.

x

 

[RachelB]

The "yard vet" is apparently very very good, so I'm hoping that they'll not only give me a second opinion but will take over the case and I can register Maiden with them as well and be rid of my vet totally. I lost faith in my vet a long time ago but thought today that I would give him one last chance, and he really didn't want to know. Awful attitude for a vet really who should be only too happy to help, as long as he has warned me well about the fact that whatever we do probably won't work (which he has). The yard vet was willing to give my friend's 19yo with four bad legs a chance and although she'd had her hiccups, she's slowly recovering. I'm hoping they will be able to do the same for Maiden!

 

[merlinsquest]

Hiya,

I am probably way off beat here, but wasnt there a horse on super vets that had a hole in the tendon, and they treated it with 'stem cell therapy'?????

Sorry if I am way off, but maybe a possibility!

 

[RachelB]

Apparently stem cell isn't very successful at all on DDFT injuries (usually used on superficial flexor injuries) and it's probably very expensive - I doubt my insurance would pay for it! Nice thought thought, thanks!

 

[merlinsquest]

Oh thats a shame..... good luck, and whatever you decide more good luck!!

 

[RachelB]

thanks!

 

[dozzie]

www.u5uk.com/you/patonandlee/index.htm?ac=DYIAE-M

This gives some suggestions of possible treatments. At least it doesnt give a completely negative outlook!!!

 

[RachelB]

thanks!
Basically though, reading that, I should have rested her completely the last three months and not have turned her out (good job I didn't follow vet's advice and turn her out completely), and she certainly shouldn't have escaped over a 4' fence... but hey ho nothing I can do about that now! And it seems my plan of 10 mins walking per day should do the trick, so I will carry on with it (she was a star tonight, very het-up but didn't put a foot wrong). I can't find anything that disagrees with the "plenty of time, although unlikely to heal if DDFT injury not SDFT, though may produce a hack-able horse if I rest her and walk her and give her at least a year to heal" sentiment. Plenty of time and patience is on the cards then!
Thanks for your support!

 

[setadrift6]

Hi. Sorry to read your day and half on monday. Glad to hear that you are going to give it a go. Great idea changing vet, its no good if you're not happy. If the vet doesn't return your call what would happen in an emergency?
Time is great healer, 30% is better than 0% and you know your horse if things did go down hill, for some reason, you know how to go about dealing with it.
Keep going with the magnectic boots if nothing else they help the circulation which in turn will help Maiden feeling up beat. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
GOOD LUCK!
P.S. Where is back and beyond?

 

[Tempi]

hi hun, sorry to hear the vet was a bit useless (again)........You wont be doing any harm with the magnetic boots, so id just keep using them if i was you.

I think that walking in hand for 10mins a day is the best way forwards and just go from there.

I know you will give her the best care possible, and i really hope it works out for you both!

PS - let me know when you want to come and ride crazy pregnant blossy

 

[Kelly1982]

I'm sorry to hear your vet is not being very helpful. I would defianately get a second opinion from another vet and go from there.

The horse that done it down our yard was on box rest for about 6 months then for the next 3 months he was allowed to be walked out in hand for 5 mins and gradually build up to an hour, then he was turned out in a small paddock on his own for 5 months before returning to the others.

The vet said that if it had happened a few years ago then he would most certainly of advised having him PTS but apparently medical advances have made the outcome of a DDFT a lot more hopeful so if i was you i wouldn't give up either.

At least then you know you have tried everything.

 

[RachelB]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I was all ready to give up entirely last night, my vet's attitude really got me down. However I am lucky to have a lovely YO who had her vet out today (my potential new vet) and she asked her opinion. New vet was shocked at old vet's attitude and said I certainly shouldn't give up, and walking her is the right thing to do, and she then needs to be re-assessed after about three months' walking and small pe turnout, and hopefully can then be turned away for about 9 months and seen again after that. So at least I know my potential new vet has some hope! I have raided my uni library today too looking in all the gory books, and have found nothing to suggest I should give in yet.
Just got my magnetic boots (finally) and they are too big (wrong size and they are huge, she can't move in them!) so she will have to do without and I will order a small magnetic band for just that leg and keep bandaging instead. Off to buy some MSM tomorrow as well, you never know what might help!
I'm off to walk her now and in a much better mood than last night thanks to HHO's support, thanks guys!