Arthritis in hock - bute not working BUT ...

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Toby773

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My mare is on bute following diagnosis of arthritic hock joint but to be honest she is no better for being on it.

Been on bute for 8 weeks now and my vet is still saying its early days for the inflammation to subside, etc.

On bute I would have thought she would be sound, but although not very lame, you can see she is not 100%. In herself she is feeling very well and is extremely lively - hard to actually stay on her some days!

Anyone else had this sort of thing or any ideas please as this mare just cannot be retired. She will be so bored as she just loves getting out and about.
 
If she's happy working, carry on. You'll know from human arthritis that pain killers alone do not 'cure' the problem - merely manage it. You could also look at putting her on something like Synaquine or Cosequin to help support the joint.
 
Ask your vet for more info on joint injections- this may work better than bute, my boy has Spavin and I was advised that it wouldn't be good for him to be on bute long term, so he has always had joint injections which keep him sound and comfortable, he's in full work and competing, also he has a joint supplement too (have found Newmarket or Cortaflex to work the best).

I'd have a chat with the vet re your concerns and see if theres something else they can do to help, it seems a shame for your horse still not to be right after 8 weeks, failing that if it were my horse I'd get a second opinion on the treatment options available . Gd luck.
 
Depends on how it was diagnosed and which bones are affected to be honest. I would speak to vet and say you arent happy. There are loads of alternatives, steriods, tildren, IRAP, catrophen, but it is up to your vet to advise you.
 
My TB was diagnosed with spavin as well as a few other things and was turned away for 7 months to let it settle down. It has done and he is 100% sound now. He's having another couple of months off in the field whilst I recover from my broken ankle but it can't do any harm. Had you thought about having hocks medicated and then being turned away for a bit to let her recover?
 
mine didnt stay on bute as vet said better off it as it actually stops the joints from fusing as its anti inflammatory.
 
I think it all depends on which bit of the hock she has arthiritis in...

Mine has spavins in both hocks but vet said only very mildly and in an area that isn't particularly mobile anyway. He's had cortisone injections in both hocks plus two courses of Adequan - speak to your vet about both. He also has a good joint supplement and needs regular work and turnout. If he isn't worked regularly and turned out every day (24/7 when possible), he really seizes up and is currently coming to the end of 14 days of bute on vet's advice thanks to the delightful weather we had in Jan leading to no TO and no work.

I would say you will know when your horse needs to do less. I wanted to hunt mine regularly but he has ringbone in front and isn't up to it - he made it quite obvious to me that he couldn't do it anymore. However, he still loves his jumping, esp XC, enjoys hacking and is finding schooling easy so he'll keep doing those until he tells me he finds those too much.
 
My horse has arthritis in hocks and was told once it fuses then it would improve and this is true, apart from a bit of stiffness when he first comes out of stable he i brilliant. Only on blue chip dynamic and this has made a huge difference x
 
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mine didnt stay on bute as vet said better off it as it actually stops the joints from fusing as its anti inflammatory.

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The bute is an antiinflammatory and will therefore reduce the inflammation in the soft tissue around the bones, reducing the pain. It shouldn't stop the bone from fusing as bones do not (unless in certain infections) become inflamed, but it will not speed it up. Every vet I've spoken to has always prescribed bute for spavins.

Do you reckon it could be more of a mechanical problem, such as it beginning to fuse oddly or gone out of position slightly, so although they may not be in pain she will not be able to move correctly? Obviously it's early days yet so try not to worry
smile.gif
 
I would try not to worry too much, my horse was off work for about 3 months when first diagnosed with arthritis in his hock. He was on 3 bute a day initially and still stiff however he improved and is now in work little and often and has 1 bute a day as he also has it in his knee. He is completely sound however the 1 bute helps just to make sure he is completely comfortable (he is 23). I find that if he has a bout where he goes lame for a short time i increase the bute and then it settles down again but these bouts arent regular. I also use Cortaflex. Unusually my boy is worse in the summer as the heat causes fluid on his hocks.
Despite being 23 my horse would also suffer more being retired, i agree that your horse will tell you when they dont want to carry on in work. My boy loves his job and loves nothing more than a good canter and a buck!
Its a case of learning how to manage the arthritis with your horse but i find that little and often is a good way.
 
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