Arthritis?

[Sossigpoker]

My 8 YO cob has gone lame in both hinds.
He almost did the splits on the road about a month ago and seemed unlevel behind after that.
Chiropractor came and sorted the pelvis out.
After that he was fine to hack out but in the school ,.when first asking for trot he felt unlevel behind but once he warmed up he felt fine.

As this wasn't improving I got the vet out who confirmed that he's lame ,.with left hind responding to flexion test for hock and fetlock.

As the movement improves under saddle as he warms up , I wonder if this could indicate arthritis and the slip on the road is just a coincidence?

Two vets are coming on Monday to x-ray and nerve block etc.

I just feel really sad because he's only 8 and worried for our future.

Any pearls of wisdom ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'd not panic till xrays and scans done.

My mini shetland did the splits late last autumn, scanning showed onset of arthritis in both stifles (which we had already made an educated guess at) but also a tear in the lateral medial ligament in the stifle.

Try not to 2nd guess, wait till you have definitive results and a plan.

 

[SO1]

My 20 year old pony has just been diagnosed with arthritis.

He is going to have the gel injections which are meant to be really good.

I was quite relieved it was arthritis as there are a lot worse things it could have been and arthritis does not involve the dreaded long term box rest.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I'd not panic till xrays and scans done.

My mini shetland did the splits late last autumn, scanning showed onset of arthritis in both stifles (which we had already made an educated guess at) but also a tear in the lateral medial ligament in the stifle.

Try not to 2nd guess, wait till you have definitive results and a plan.

Is there a treatment for the ligament tear?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Is there a treatment for the ligament tear?

Yup, box rest.
Tho due to the arthritic changes that wasnt helpful, so I managed this by small paddock with big field shelter rest for 12 weeks. I'd be very surprised if that is what yours has, as this little one wasn't weight bearing for the 1st 3 weeks even on meds.

 

[SO1]

Yes my pony has had soft tissue damage before, treatment is normally a long period of box rest and controlled exercise. Mine was on box rest/controlled exercise for 6 months before he could have small paddock turnout.

I was very worried he had another soft tissue injury and was not sure if I could face another 6 months of box rest/controlled exercise just when he had recovered from the last one I was relieved in some ways it was arthritis although no cure it can be managed.

If it is arthritis you want to avoid steroids as it can cause laminitis and cobs and natives are more prone. The gel does not have the laminitis risks.

Is there a treatment for the ligament tear?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Yes my pony has had soft tissue damage before, treatment is normally a long period of box rest and controlled exercise. Mine was on box rest/controlled exercise for 6 months before he could have small paddock turnout.

I was very worried he had another soft tissue injury and was not sure if I could face another 6 months of box rest/controlled exercise just when he had recovered from the last one I was relieved in some ways it was arthritis although no cure it can be managed.

If it is arthritis you want to avoid steroids as it can cause laminitis and cobs and natives are more prone. The gel does not have the laminitis risks.

Do you mean muscular injury or ligament injury?
As he moves better once warmed up I'm hoping there's no ligament damage.
Vet couldn't get a pain response from the tendons either.

 

[SO1]

He strained his suspensory branch in his left hind in Feb 2020 and then small hole in SDFT in July 2021 so has had two rounds of box rest.

Now has arthritis lame in hinds. Will have hocks injected with gel and coffin joints too. If that does not work and with 80% of horses it does he will go on to Danilon. Several horses at the yard have arthritis and still being ridden.

Do you mean muscular injury or ligament injury?
As he moves better once warmed up I'm hoping there's no ligament damage.
Vet couldn't get a pain response from the tendons either.

 

[Sossigpoker]

He strained his suspensory branch in his left hind in Feb 2020 and then small hole in SDFT in July 2021 so has had two rounds of box rest.

Now has arthritis lame in hinds. Will have hocks injected with gel and coffin joints too. If that does not work and with 80% of horses it does he will go on to Danilon. Several horses at the yard have arthritis and still being ridden.

Thank you. Was he really lame with the suspensory strain ?

 

[SO1]

Not lame in walk but obviously lame in trot.

Thank you. Was he really lame with the suspensory strain ?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Not lame in walk but obviously lame in trot.

Thanks. That makes me dread that he's got a ligament injury ?

 

[SO1]

Unlikely if he is lame in both legs and normally there would be swelling and pain on palpation which is sounds like your vet has already done.

Thanks. That makes me dread that he's got a ligament injury ?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Unlikely if he is lame in both legs and normally there would be swelling and pain on palpation which is sounds like your vet has already done.

He has windgalls but vet didn't say anything about other swelling and said that no pain response to tendon pinch.