Bone chips and arthritis in both front fetlocks

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sjdress

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Horse which I have been rehabbing for hind PSD has also been diagnosed with bone chips and arthritis in both front fetlocks. Vets have advised against surgery to remove chips as say they are old, too much damage has been done already and long term it’s unlikely to help. We’ve medicated the joints, however 2 weeks on he is still lame. I’m totally lost at where to go from here, vets have said PTS may be an option if he doesn’t improve but give it a little more time. However it’s awful having to ride a lame horse (which I feel like I have been doing for months now). He’s not happy, fidgety to get on, naps and rears when ridden. I’ve started him on devils claw in the hope to help him a little but wondered if anyone had any success stories with similar issues? He’s only 8 so it’s quite heartbreaking.
 
It’s been awful but I have been following vets advice. They said if feeling lame just keep walking for the PSD, well that’s all we’ve done for 5 months as he hasn’t felt better to trot, then with the joint injections they said again to keep trying and see if he improves, which he hasn’t. I gave him a month off as couldn’t face riding a lame horse and even that hasn’t helped. Speaking to the vets again today as just can’t go on like this, it’s not fair on him and I can’t see any way of improving things for him.
 
How much longer have they suggested leaving it? Have they other medical suggestions other than the injections? While it can take a while to get the full benefit (if steriods, assuming a bit there) if there horse were still significantly lame and known to have chips I'd be considering it's future.
 
I assume if they were willing to medicate the fetlocks with the presence of bone chips they didn't think the bone chips would cause an issue.

I am not sure if bute would make any difference if the steroid didn't work but would bute not help or would he have to be on too high a dose for it to be effective?
It seems such a shame if he is only 8.

In my own scenario I am personally against increasing bute anymore than one sachet in order to ride but happy to so if it meant my horse could be retired pain free even if I couldn't afford another horse to ride. But mines old, 8 is a young age to retire if you can only afford one and you don't have your own land.
 
sjdress said:
It’s been awful but I have been following vets advice. They said if feeling lame just keep walking for the PSD, well that’s all we’ve done for 5 months as he hasn’t felt better to trot, then with the joint injections they said again to keep trying and see if he improves, which he hasn’t. I gave him a month off as couldn’t face riding a lame horse and even that hasn’t helped. Speaking to the vets again today as just can’t go on like this, it’s not fair on him and I can’t see any way of improving things for him.
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no you cannot continue and your vets don’t appear to have the interest of the horse and yourself at heart... from your posts at least. some of the things vets put horses through is appalling.. my own opinion formed from experience.. hindsight is a wonderful thing but only if you can help others... if only horses could speak ?
 
sorry to read this but i am afraid i would be calling it a day, i know he is only 8 but quality of life is the most important thing and if he has problems in all 4 legs, that is no quality of life.... i would bute him up so he can have a few days in the field and then PTS......its horrible when they are so young but i cant see that you have a choice....
 
Had a thought... do you know what has led to his bone chips and arthritis? Have you had him all along or was he bought recently? How was he shod?
 
Although no one would disagree with PTS as an option, if I could Bute and make him comfortable, I would turn away for a good period of time, without shoes. Amazing what time can do.

If he still looked uncomfortable when out, I would PTS.

Horrible situation for an 8 year old.
 
Sugarplum said:
Had a thought... do you know what has led to his bone chips and arthritis? Have you had him all along or was he bought recently? How was he shod?
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I’ve only had him 18 months but vets say he’s probably had them since foal/yearling. No idea why it’s only now that he has gone lame. He is currently shod allround
 
sjdress said:
I’ve only had him 18 months but vets say he’s probably had them since foal/yearling. No idea why it’s only now that he has gone lame. He is currently shod allround
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I assume he isn't in pain from the PSD anymore so is moving differently and therefore discovering new pain in his forelegs instead. This pain has been investigated and bone chips discovered. Maybe it would be worthwhile getting a good physio to come out and take a look. Maybe she could release some tension in his muscles so he could find a more comfortable way of moving?

It makes sense if this has all come on suddenly since his treatment for PSD.
 
If you were to consider taking off the shoes, then bone chip cases are the one instance where I tell people trying a barefoot rehab not to hold out too much hope. I don't know of any successes, sorry.

.
 
My gelding has a bone chip on his fetlock which after the initial lameness has never caused him any bother. I can’t offer any advice but thought it might be useful to mention. Have you been referred to horspital? I’m afraid I wouldn’t ever trust a vets opinion on matters like this without being referred to the experts.
 
It's difficult to gauge progression without previous xrays, they certainly can develop relatively quickly and it seems likely that either something has changed in the fetlocks or the horse has been loading himself differently because of the PSD.

How much longer do the vets want to leave it?
Do they have other medical treatment suggestions?
(Q in my previous reply)
 
Your options seem limited - if the bone chips aren't the issue then the arthritis certainly is with few positive outcomes. I'm so sorry you're facing such a difficult decision.
 
meleeka said:
My gelding has a bone chip on his fetlock which after the initial lameness has never caused him any bother. I can’t offer any advice but thought it might be useful to mention. Have you been referred to horspital? I’m afraid I wouldn’t ever trust a vets opinion on matters like this without being referred to the experts.
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He’s been referred and spent days at the vets having scans etc
 
ester said:
It's difficult to gauge progression without previous xrays, they certainly can develop relatively quickly and it seems likely that either something has changed in the fetlocks or the horse has been loading himself differently because of the PSD.

How much longer do the vets want to leave it?
Do they have other medical treatment suggestions?
(Q in my previous reply)
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they have said give it another 4-6 weeks. No other options as in their opinion his prognosis is very guarded with the two separate issues. They said he could have the chips removed but don’t feel it would actually make a huge difference to him
 
Thanks for answering :) It was kind of because if they said a few months I think that would def be too long from what you describe.
 
Arthramid can work well in fetlocks but it’s not cheap I am not sure though if the bone chips would make it not worth using .
However I would not be riding a lame horse sometimes it’s just the most ethical thing to call it a day .
 
Goldenstar said:
Arthramid can work well in fetlocks but it’s not cheap I am not sure though if the bone chips would make it not worth using .
However I would not be riding a lame horse sometimes it’s just the most ethical thing to call it a day .
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I’ve stopped riding him as it’s doing us both no good... vets want to re examine him in 4 weeks so We’ll see. I’m not holding out much hope that time off will help either as he’s just had a month off before I started again after the injections. Such a sad situation.
 
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