artheritis in young horses

conniegirl

conniegirl

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Some people may know that I've had some problems with Lenny recently and he has been in Horsepital since sunday awaiting a bonescan to find out why he was lame behind and why I couldnt pick his hind feet up at all..
Today I got some devastating news
he has arthritis in his spine, front pasterns and hocks. He is currently medicated up to the eyeballs, has had injections into the joints and I've been told to field rest him for 3 months. In 3 months time he has to go back to the vets for another look at him and potentially more injections but the prognosis is very guarded at best. If he hasnt made significant improvement in 3 months time he may need to be PTS.
I am sat here in tears, I dont know what to do with myself, I cant lose anouther one so soon after Reeco and he is such a lovely person that I want to give him every possible chance, he doesnt deserve this suffering.

I'm after any hugs, words of wisdom or possible things to try. I'm going to pick him up this evening from the vets so will have more details then but this horse is a horse of a lifetime and I'm desperate.
 
I am really stuck for any words of wisdom at this moment there seems to be a big lump in my throat, that's just pants news! :(

<<<<<<<<<<huge hugs>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Big hugsXXX

Arthritus is a painful condition and in a young horse is such a shame but I'm sure you'll do the right thing for him.

Take care of yourself too, this is devastating news.
 
oh no, I am so so sorry. Poor boy at only 6.

I don't know how helpful this is, but my horse Harry was diagnosed aged 8 with arthritis in both hocks. (We couldn't pick up his hind feet either). He had an operation to fuse both hocks and since then has been sound in ridden work with a danilon a day - he is now 13. He was luckier than your boy as that was the only place he had arthritis, but they do seem quite good at dealing with that. I don't know about the other places or whether if the hocks could be helped, these would have less impact. I hope so.

Sending you both all the best possible vibes. x x x
 
So sorry to hear your news. Our 6 year old mare was recently diagnosed with arthritis in her spine (facet joints). We hadn't even considered she might have a condition that was incurable and its taken a while to get over the shock and start dealing with it.

We are giving her turmeric, and also a joint supplement that contains green lip mussel. She's had one treatment of tildren and we go back in September to see if it's worked, or if we need to try alternative treatment, eg steroids.

There are lots of positive stories, and lots of different treatments to try. Our vets are very guarded with prognosis, mainly because there is no way of knowing how she will respond to treatment. If treatment works then it can be manageable for a long time.

I'm no expert by any means, but I've spent the last month reading anything and everything about facet joint arthritis so if there is anything useful I can share with you, please PM me.

Sending you and your horse big hugs and lots of healing xx
 
My 6 yr old has aggressive ringbone in one fore fetlock. She has been on turmeric, black pepper and micronised linseed for some time. We believe the joint has now fused. I am bringing her back into work now.
 
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