bog spavin

[lndlcy]

Does anyone know how to treat bog spavin please. My pony is 11 he has allways been completley sound until now. He is out on loan currently so I dont know how the problem started. Is he better being gently excersised or should he rest? If gentle excersise is good for the condidtion would he be better left in the field so he has avialibility to move around as he wishes or should he be on box rest? Does he need a vet or should we simply allow it to work its way through by itself as we would if we had a sprain. Could lungeing, an accident or overuse have triggered the condition? How do I prevent it reoccuring once we have it sorted out

 

[vennessa]

From Liphhok hospital - hope it helps
SPAVIN

‘Spavin’ is a common condition in ponies and horses of all ages. There are two forms of spavin – bone spavin and bog spavin. Both affect the hock.

What is bog spavin?

Bog spavin is excessive fluid in the largest of the hock joints. This can result in slight or severe enlargement of the hock. One or both hocks may be affected. It is more commonly seen in younger horses, although it can occur at any age. The increase in fluid can be the result of injury (trauma), degeneration of bone or cartilage in the joint (OCD), or joint infection (septic arthritis). There may be associated lameness which can range in degree from mild to severe depending on the cause.

Can bog spavin be treated?

Depending on the cause of the bog spavin, several treatments are available and you should ask your veterinary surgeon to make a diagnosis and for advice. If the condition is caused by traumatic injury (most commonly a ‘strain’) and there is no associated lameness, rest and some anti-inflammatory medication is all that is needed. If the joint remains enlarged it may be necessary to drain the joint of excessive fluid and to inject corticosteroids into it. This should only be considered if fractures, OCD and infection have been ruled out, by your veterinary surgeon, with the use of radiographic (x-ray) examinations, joint fluid analysis and blood tests. See out handouts on osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and arthritis. If the horse or pony is lame, it should be rested and treatment postponed until the cause of lameness and spavin is determined. Treatment will entirely depend on the diagnosis. Box rest, joint medication or surgery may be recommended. Your horse may or may not need to be referred to a specialist centre if surgery is required or the joint infected.

 

[lndlcy]

Thank you for your response and advice.