Anyone's young horse had ethanol Hock fusing injections?

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NELSON11

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My 5 yo who has not responded to steroid, Adequan and Tildren over the last 10 months since coming back from being backed and produced with juvenile Arthirtis is having his hocks fused at the vets tomorrow.

We re xrayed him last Monday and he had got marginally worse despite all the treatment and backing off the work.

We nerve blocked him last week and he improved by 60% under saddle. So just wondered how everyone else got on with this. I have experience with older horses in their teens but not a youngster.

Last chance saloon I am afraid for my beloved boy.

Experiences would be be helpful Thank you
 
Sorry, I can't help re: experience but wanted to wish you good luck. I hope it works for your boy. My 9 year old has hock spavin and also kissing spine that has just been operated on, so I know what you're going through.
 
applecart14 said:
Here you go Nelson11. Some things I have found regarding hock fusion with ethanol. I know I'm your mate so could just email/speak to you but as this is a forum other people may be interested in the following also:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177212
http://www.newenglandequine.com/news.html (scroll down)
http://drtanis.com/2011/05/12/ethyl-alcohol-joint-fusion/
http://forums.barrelhorseworld.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=240377&start=1
Click to expand...

Thank you both :)
 
If it is in the lower hock, then it can take a while for it to fuse. Is your vet 100% sure that it is only in the lower hock?

One of mine was also diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, but it is in the upper hock (i.e. the part that needs to flex). None of the treatments (steroids, tildren, IRAP) worked and he was retired at 6. I would give him time for the hocks to fuse - it can take months and needs to be done under controlled exercise.
 
MIne has had Tildren twice, but he has low bone density - did this show up when your horse had xrays? If there is low bone density then the bone is crumbling so the horse will always be in pain.
 
My previous horse (now sold) was diagnosed at 4 with hock spavin he had the injections in both hocks and it worked for him he passed his vetting with flying colours although his movement behind causes him to look a bit stiff but he isn't sore
 
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