Bone spavin...how long

[niko]

May mare was diagnosed with bone spavin about 4weeks ago at the advanced stage and to just bute her and ride through it. She was off lame from March. How long can it take to complete the fusion process in your experiences (as a guide, i know it varies) & what are your experiences, any info greatly appreciated

 

[tasel]

Mine went lame last July... still at it now, she just got another shot of cortison. Hope that will be it!!! But mine was still at the very beginning not the end stage.

Let's hope it goes well for both of us.

 

[FAYEFUDGE]

From what I was told, it can take up to 2 yrs to fully fuse naturally.
There is no guarantee it will fuse on it's own but there are other options such as surgery etc which you can try.
I think it took about 2 yrs for my boys to fully fuse, he only went lame in the final stages, which was when it was diagnosed!!!!

 

[niko]

Thanks for your replies, Faye you live quite close to me! My mare is in the final stages and has only went lame, how long di it take your boy? & what vert diagnosed if you dont mind me asking?

 

[mitters]

Hi, my gelding went lame last September, he had x-rays and vet discovered he had bone spavins. He had fusion injections (not sure sure what they were called, possibly cortison?) and he was sound after a couple of weeks. I started bringing him back into work after about 6 weeks and he has been sound since, even been eventing this season!

After he had the injections i put him on Cortaflex HA, Buteless, cod liver oil and bought him some Bioflow boots which he wears every night, so i think all these things have also helped. I think he must have been in a fairly early stage, but the vet told me i would need the injections every 6 months, well its been 8 and he's still ok (touch wood!).

I have a friend with eventers who have had the injections and continued to compete at intermediate / advanced level, and a lady at my yard also has them every so often to keep her horse sound, so i would definately recommend them along with magnetic boots and a joint supplement.

You may also find your horse has some back pain as a result of the lameness, so it may be worth physio treatment.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[TequilaMist]

I was told same as FAYFUDGE can take up to 2 yrs and is often bilateral so if got it in one hock chances are other has too.Didn't go down injection route but mare was on bute and was advised to work mare esp in trot to speed up process.As it was never got that far as broke a different bone and was retired.
At one point did discuss operation as mare was only 6 but got impression vet wasn't keen as it involved( think this was it-someone correct/amend if wrong??) drilling into bone which then would fuse as healing.Each leg done seperately and vet said still in extreme pain despite high levels of morphine and no gaurentee of soundness.Have only heard of 1 horse getting this and it remained unsound.