Bone Spavins and spinal arthritus

[Twigben]

Hello

My 5 year old has been diagnosed with bone spavins in both hocks and arthritus in the spine. He is very "touchy" and i am having to use clicker training to even begin to get close to touching/grooming his back and cant pick out his feet at all. He toe drags v badly and looks like his back end is paralysed/stiff, he has no "swing" at all through his spine. The vet has offered treatment with Tildren in 5 weeks (cant do any sooner due to radiation from bone scan) but is unsure as to the prognosis (its a relatively new treatment).

My vet is not too optimistic because unless he can become sound his back doesnt stand a chance at getting better. He is fearful that even if we get the pain under control he has built up such a guarded way that he may not physicaly be able to move properly and mentally well i'm not sure if he will ever loose the fear of pain (i have had a behaviourist help me out).

I am not sure if i am being cruel to put him through the treatment or cruel not to give it a go. He out with his mate (welsh sec a) is in a small field 24/7 with sparse grass (he is fat and i have been told to watch his weight as his bones arent meant to take a lot of weight - he is a TB) and he looks bored out of his mind, some days he looks really painful and others although he is still to dragging etc he looks better. He cant scratch himself at all - he cant bend his head to his girth area and gets frustrated when he tries!

I am tying myself in knots at the moment trying to decide what to do for the best - anyone any experience, good or bad with these conditions?

 

[ihatework]

Hmm ... I personally wouldn't be grooming his back if he is so obviously in pain. Have you spoken to your vet about getting some decent painkillers inside of him to tide him over for the moment until you make any decisions about his long term future?

 

[JoBo]

Hi Amanda,

You know how I feel and I won’t add anymore as I know how it’s all going around in your head. I just wanted to say I’m thinking of you.

I can’t add anymore sorry, but have fun hacking out with GinaGem tomorrow.

Big hugs,
Jo.

 

[_daisy_]

I know how you feel as my 19yo pony was diagnosed with spavins in her left hock and boney changes in both her stifles. She has good days and bad days. Was a very bad day when we took her to the vets for furthre treatment. He tried to do a flexion test on her right hind and she fell over.
She has undergone steroid and synthetic joint fluid injections into both stifles. Its helped slightly but she lives now on danilon permanently.
The vet has said there is nothing else we can do for her apart from PTS. She wont be with us another winter and we said that once the summer is over (well if we get one) she will go. She can scratch herself with no problems but sometimes she can hardly put her back legs down. She will stand for ages with one of them lifted, try to put it to the floor but then lift it straight back up. She finds it really hard to pick her feet up for our trimmer to trim her feet. Unfortunately we have to double her pain killers the day when the trimmer comes and she ahs to be bridled otherwise she runs off (yes she can do it when she wants to)

I would be very cautious of the treatment you are being offered. Will it give your lad a better way of life or is it going to just prolong his pain?

Weve given up on the injections as they are very painful for her. Theres no further treatment that the vet will give my mare. Ive spoken to the vet and hes happy for me to give her as much pain relief as she wants/needs as at the end of the day who cares whether or not she gets liver damage as she will inevitably be PTS. I know that sounds callous but shes enjoying her last weeks/months with her mates in the field full of grass.

 

[merlinsquest]

Hi Twigben,

Have pm you but just to add, I have spoken to the main man at Ceva (Tildren manufacturers) and they have said that its safe to use it 1 week after bone scan!!! I was told 4 by my vet and then 10 by Bells Equine, but the people in the know said 1 week preferably 2... so Im well confused now... Merlin had scan on the 19th and is having Tildren next week sometime, so will be nearer 2 weeks.

Another horse on the yard has already had it and he seems to be improved by it..... surely you have to give your horse the chance, as he is only 5 you never know.

Good luck and keep in touch