holeymoley
Well-Known Member
I've had a look on the forum already with regards to Cartrophen but wondering if there's some newer experiences.
My older boy had Arthramid injected in to both hocks last Winter as he was gradually becoming a bit slower and stiffer. Two vets came out to do his 'lameness' assessment and both agreed that it was likely his hocks that needed done. I was slightly dubious about this and thought possibly higher up but I took their knowledge and decided to x ray the hocks and inject. Both hocks weren't actually 'too bad' according to them on viewing the x-rays. The lead vet at the time said 'if this doesn't work you can try Cartrophen'.
Anyway, if I'm honest, it's 10 months down the line and I've not seen much change in him. He's no longer squaring off his hind hooves when trotting on tarmac(not that we do a lot of that I may add, only if having to trot/jog to passing place if car coming) so the Arthramid must have done something but nothing obviously enough to make a significant difference. We have a substantial hill on the yard and he is quite short in his stride going down it, thankfully there is a flatter alternative route but nonetheless it has highlighted that he's just not right.
I'm keen to try Cartrophen as I gather it works all over. Has it worked for anyone and if so, what for? The Arthramid had mixed responses when I asked around about it, some seen great results and others seen nothing. I think Cartrophen is more proven? How much is it roughly? It would seem on reading that there's a few block of injections over a period of time too. He is no longer insured, Arthramid last year with xrays cost just over £1.3k. I'm also happy to hear of any other options out there, whether maybe it's time for a bute a day or something else. I've changed vet clinics too so it would be good to have a bit of knowledge behind any discussion with them.
My older boy had Arthramid injected in to both hocks last Winter as he was gradually becoming a bit slower and stiffer. Two vets came out to do his 'lameness' assessment and both agreed that it was likely his hocks that needed done. I was slightly dubious about this and thought possibly higher up but I took their knowledge and decided to x ray the hocks and inject. Both hocks weren't actually 'too bad' according to them on viewing the x-rays. The lead vet at the time said 'if this doesn't work you can try Cartrophen'.
Anyway, if I'm honest, it's 10 months down the line and I've not seen much change in him. He's no longer squaring off his hind hooves when trotting on tarmac(not that we do a lot of that I may add, only if having to trot/jog to passing place if car coming) so the Arthramid must have done something but nothing obviously enough to make a significant difference. We have a substantial hill on the yard and he is quite short in his stride going down it, thankfully there is a flatter alternative route but nonetheless it has highlighted that he's just not right.
I'm keen to try Cartrophen as I gather it works all over. Has it worked for anyone and if so, what for? The Arthramid had mixed responses when I asked around about it, some seen great results and others seen nothing. I think Cartrophen is more proven? How much is it roughly? It would seem on reading that there's a few block of injections over a period of time too. He is no longer insured, Arthramid last year with xrays cost just over £1.3k. I'm also happy to hear of any other options out there, whether maybe it's time for a bute a day or something else. I've changed vet clinics too so it would be good to have a bit of knowledge behind any discussion with them.
for us it is still suspected mildly arthritic hocks and slipping stifles but it helped get us over an uncomfortable spot in spring. It got pony comfortable enough to do the strengthening work that was needed to improve in the long term and do it happily. We are 7 months out and going to do a prophylactic dose (a month late, whoops) to keep us ticking over into winter. Cost is as SpeedyPony says but worth it in my ppinion.
