arthritis in fetlock joint

[sue_ellen]

my best friend's horse Boo went lame in his near fore nearly 3 months ago and after x rays the vet suspected navicular and referred him for an mri scan. He had 2 months box rest before the insurance company okayed the scan. The vet at the horsepital first said yes he had navicular, then no he thought it was tendonitis before finally deciding it was arthritis in the fetlock joint. He was injected into the joint with steroids and cortisone. He trotted up sound and we took him home with instructions to box rest for 3 more days, then we could turn him out and start riding him just in walk. He was sound for 2 days then went lame again. The vet came out a week later and said to give him bute and continue riding him if he came sound. He is just about sound now, a week later, but maybe just moving a bit short. My poor friend just does not know what to do or expect, her lovely athletic horse who she has had for nearly 8 years is still full of life but just not sound. We have been told that it has been caught quite early, has anyone had any experience of anything like this? Do you think he will come sound again? Any opinions or advice would be most appreciated.

 

[merlinsquest]

My horse has a really badly arthritic hind fetlock, he has been sound since I got him 4 years ago, but does move differently with that leg.

We have done a bute trial with him, to show that even on a high dose of bute he is the same, so its mechanical rather than pain related..... and he has had Tildren twice and Irap Therapy.

I just keep him out all the time, so he doesnt stiffen up and give him a joint supplement, and on this he is sound.

But, he is only a happy hacker, with the occasional show, or jumping effort...... so not what you would call an athletic lifestyle!!!

 

[Paddywhack]

Aloe Vera has always been a very good supplement for horses with Arthritic problems,see if you can find a Forever Living Product distributor in your area,OR you can go in on www.healthspan.co.uk and get Aloe Vera Tablets http://www.healthspan.co.uk/search.aspx?query=aloe%20vera and Green Lip Mussels http://www.healthspan.co.uk/other_joint_...-p310-c125.aspx they work brilliantly together ! I use the above for the same problem but its in the hock of my old mare she now like a spring chicken again and give 2 capsules of GLM and 5 Aloe Tablets per day,I started with 4 capsules and 10 tablets and then gradually reduced t

 

[Charlie77]

My horse was diagnosed last may, Arthritis of the Coffin joint, He had 3 HA injections & has been mostly sound since, Hard ground & ruts are the biggest problems, he is sound to hack but cant school, he cant cope with circles & as he's a big lad he always seems to be going round a corner! Since Christmas however he's been getting worse, I had the vet out last week who said to start him on one Bute a day, I have had him since a foal & he was only just 13 when he was diagnosed, Its just not fare, trouble is I don't think that he realised that he has a problem. Its totally heart breaking, but he went from BSJA to Happy Hack surprisingly well & he's happy in him self (that's the most important thing) he is on a very good joint supplement, Its one of those things that can only be managed im afraid, I could still cry most days when I think about it!

 

[smellyellie741]

i havent had this expeince but my pony went lame behind and was on a very expensive supplement (£200 a pot for 2 months) but was still lame so we put him on equiflex(£16 for two minths worth) and never looked back since he now jumps 3'6 when befor his limit was 3' hope this helps