arthramid/steroid cost?

[dottylottie]

as above really! the long awaited lameness workup is tomorrow/wednesday, but i’m still impatient so wondering what people have paid for each! she’ll be at the surgery already, so call out/x-ray etc won’t apply.

i’ve read wonderful things about arthramid, so id be leaning towards that i think

 

[EmmaC78]

My gelding had both front feet injected with athramid in January and it was £488 plus Vat for the athramid itself plus another £218 for adminsitering it.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I had both hocks done with steroid 2021 it was around £380 inc call out and sedation

Then both hocks with arthramid 2022 was around 750 inc call out and sedation

 

[Tiddlypom]

Feb 2023
Arthramid + steroid in both hocks inc x rays (to check placement of needle). 1 vial (1ml) of arthramid per hock. £889.56

I took the horse to clinic, so no call out charge.

 

[visa_bot]

it depends what joint and how much is needed for arthramid. For a fetlock my stallion needed 2ml so was nearer the £500 mark, but for coffin joint only 1ml so it was around £300 But that was a few years ago. I’ve also had success in a tendon sheath but that needed multiple injections. All of them have been successful though, I really rate it.

 

[Sossigpoker]

The vials (Arthmid) are around £250-300 each , depends on how many you need. Mine only needed one vial into one hock.
Steroids are loads cheaper.

 

[dorsetladette]

my old boy had steriods in both hocks. With the nerve blocking and then second visit to administer it came to just short of £800.

 

[spacefaer]

Fun fact of the day - arthramid is the same gel they make boob implants from.

 

[Hallo2012]

The vials (Arthmid) are around £250-300 each , depends on how many you need. Mine only needed one vial into one hock.
Steroids are loads cheaper.

they are cheaper but MUCH more risky WRT lami.

i would never use steroids even in my very fit natives, so the ££££ is worth it.

 

[Fieldlife]

Fun fact of the day - arthramid is the same gel they make boob implants from.

but 10 times the price for horses

 

[SEL]

£600 ish although she had a fair amount done on the same day.

Worth it though. The steroids did absolutely nothing and she's so much happier now. I used to hate farrier day because she used to find bringing her hind legs forward onto the stand painful and cow kick. Now she's the quickest for him to do.

I also have a suspicion that if I'd had it done earlier then we might have saved that left suspensory ligament which effectively got RSI from her compensating for the sore hock. The vet wasn't keen on steroids because she's a good doer and kept putting them off. It was only when I got a 2nd opinion that I went for them (no feet issues at all) but they really didn't make any difference. Change of vet practice who offered arthramid and happy horse.

 

[dottylottie]

thankyou everyone! will do a reply to respond to everyone generally lol - i know steroids are much cheaper, but whilst it’ll be through insurance i’d rather go for the spendy option if it’s worth it! she’s also a section D, and not very fit due to being out of work with the lameness so the lami risk is a concern for me, particularly when i’m considering moving her for more turnout depending on the outcome of this workup.

 

[dottylottie]

but 10 times the price for horses

idk, i think the arthramid injections will still be cheaper than going and getting a boob job

 

[Fieldlife]

idk, i think the arthramid injections will still be cheaper than going and getting a boob job

Yes but the cost of the gel per ml will be far lower in the boob job. Overall costs of surgery versus a joint injection as procedures wont be comparable.

 

[toppedoff]

Hope everything goes okay!

 

[Sossigpoker]

they are cheaper but MUCH more risky WRT lami.

i would never use steroids even in my very fit natives, so the ££££ is worth it.

My cob has had steroid into hocks and SI and was fine , he's not fat and is quite fit .
I'd have it again if the vet recommended although when the time comes for the left hock , I'll pay for the Arthmid straight away

 

[dottylottie]

Hope everything goes okay!

thankyou! i’m actually a bit annoyed to tell you the truth - was told i’d get updated throughout the day, and when i dropped her off this morning told i would get a call a couple of hours later. i’ve rang twice and not gotten anything beyond “no news is good news”, i understand they’re busy but i would’ve thought i’d at least get 1 call to tell me that it’s all gone okay so far!

who knows, maybe it’s just me but i don’t really think it’s on tbh

 

[Widgeon]

they are cheaper but MUCH more risky WRT lami.

i would never use steroids even in my very fit natives, so the ££££ is worth it.

Without wanting to sound rude I don't think it's helpful to generalise like that - if a competent vet believes that steroids are a good option for a particular horse then they shouldn't be written off. In addition, arthramid may not always be an option. I would hate for anyone to put off using steroids because they're too afraid of the risk of laminitis. They can be incredibly effective and useful, and on balance may be a good option.

 

[Floofball]

thankyou! i’m actually a bit annoyed to tell you the truth - was told i’d get updated throughout the day, and when i dropped her off this morning told i would get a call a couple of hours later. i’ve rang twice and not gotten anything beyond “no news is good news”, i understand they’re busy but i would’ve thought i’d at least get 1 call to tell me that it’s all gone okay so far!

who knows, maybe it’s just me but i don’t really think it’s on tbh

Think I’d be a bit annoyed too - hope they‘re on the phone first thing tomorrow!

 

[Fieldlife]

Without wanting to sound rude I don't think it's helpful to generalise like that - if a competent vet believes that steroids are a good option for a particular horse then they shouldn't be written off. In addition, arthramid may not always be an option. I would hate for anyone to put off using steroids because they're too afraid of the risk of laminitis. They can be incredibly effective and useful, and on balance may be a good option.

One of the vet practices in my area does blood tests (think testing blood sugar) for at risk horses before injecting steroids and can only have injection if bloods okay. Else more dieting and repeat bloods.

When I asked my vet, probably 5 years ago, he didn’t think there was much evidence of success with arthramid in hocks, and wasn’t keen. Though maybe the thinking has changed since?

 

[Fieldlife]

thankyou! i’m actually a bit annoyed to tell you the truth - was told i’d get updated throughout the day, and when i dropped her off this morning told i would get a call a couple of hours later. i’ve rang twice and not gotten anything beyond “no news is good news”, i understand they’re busy but i would’ve thought i’d at least get 1 call to tell me that it’s all gone okay so far!

who knows, maybe it’s just me but i don’t really think it’s on tbh

I’ve always stayed with horse and been involved in investigations first hand.

 

[dottylottie]

One of the vet practices in my area does blood tests (think testing blood sugar) for at risk horses before injecting steroids and can only have injection if bloods okay. Else more dieting and repeat bloods.

When I asked my vet, probably 5 years ago, he didn’t think there was much evidence of success with arthramid in hocks, and wasn’t keen. Though maybe the thinking has changed since?

i am actually having bloods taken anyway, but who knows if that’s been done today since i’ve not heard anything from them!

initially i had a lot of faith in these vets, the vet who’s practice it is has additional qualifications for lameness investigation amongst other things so i would’ve been happy to go with his suggestions - not so sure anymore. obviously i’ve no idea if it is arthritis at all, but it just seems more likely than tendon injury etc.

 

[dottylottie]

Think I’d be a bit annoyed too - hope they‘re on the phone first thing tomorrow!

I’ve always stayed with horse and been involved in investigations first hand.

i highly doubt they will be! i think i’ll have to call them first thing, but even then i don’t think i’ll get far if the vet who does the workups is busy. i hate confrontation, so i don’t have it in me to tell them i’m not satisfied!

i asked if i could stay with her for at least day 1, but was told outright no. they said it’s because he has a few horses in at the same time, so whilst he’s waiting for something to take effect/wear off in one he’ll do the next etc, but i had no issue waiting around, i understand it’s not a simple process. i’m quite disappointed really, i’ve had no issues when they’ve come out and the receptionists are all lovely and very helpful, but this area of customer service seems to be lacking

 

[Fieldlife]

i highly doubt they will be! i think i’ll have to call them first thing, but even then i don’t think i’ll get far if the vet who does the workups is busy. i hate confrontation, so i don’t have it in me to tell them i’m not satisfied!

i asked if i could stay with her for at least day 1, but was told outright no. they said it’s because he has a few horses in at the same time, so whilst he’s waiting for something to take effect/wear off in one he’ll do the next etc, but i had no issue waiting around, i understand it’s not a simple process. i’m quite disappointed really, i’ve had no issues when they’ve come out and the receptionists are all lovely and very helpful, but this area of customer service seems to be lacking

That sounds rubbish for the amount of money you’ll be spending. I’ve tended to go to big vet hospitals and it’s normal to wait whilst nerve block / sedation takes effect or wears off and senior vet only there for significant bits. But I’ve never not been there or not had catch up with senior vet before leaving. Might have to wait when it’s an MRI though. Every vet hospital I’ve dealt with has understood how stressful it is for owner and communicated quickly!

I think it is shocking the vet did some diagnostics on your horse today, and left with out at least leaving reception an update to share with you.

I’d consider a different vet hospital next time.

 

[Zoeypxo]

When my horse went for work ups they would more often than not send you away for the day and ask you to come back at the end, annoying but they would always call to let you know findings.
My new vet does everything mobile , much easier!

 

[dottylottie]

That sounds rubbish for the amount of money you’ll be spending. I’ve tended to go to big vet hospitals and it’s normal to wait whilst nerve block / sedation takes effect or wears off and senior vet only there for significant bits. But I’ve never not been there or not had catch up with senior vet before leaving. Might have to wait when it’s an MRI though. Every vet hospital I’ve dealt with has understood how stressful it is for owner and communicated quickly!

I think it is shocking the vet did some diagnostics on your horse today, and left with out at least leaving reception an update to share with you.

I’d consider a different vet hospital next time.

they have plenty of wonderful reviews, and as i said the practice owner who does the work ups has additional qualifications, so both of these led me to believe i was in good hands! she’s my first horse and so first experience of finding a vet for one, so i’m even more annoyed after the amount of time i spent doing my research on all the ones in my area will definitely be looking for somewhere else to take her for something like this, and just keep them for routine things. hopefully she gives me enough time before she decides she needs another visit!

 

[dottylottie]

When my horse went for work ups they would more often than not send you away for the day and ask you to come back at the end, annoying but they would always call to let you know findings.
My new vet does everything mobile , much easier!

i’d been told on multiple occasions he liked to keep clients updated throughout the day, so very disappointed to not hear anything at all especially after i’d rang twice and been reassured they’d get him to call me back. i have been told i need to be there in person tomorrow to discuss findings etc whether she’s being picked up or not, which i do think is a good thing that they don’t do that over the phone. i don’t have my own transport, so was unsure whether she’d be coming home tomorrow or having to stay an extra night.

even a call to say “hi, she’s behaved herself and all has gone to plan, will give you an update tomorrow” would’ve been fine!