DDFT:severe lameness

[claresummers]

My horse (TB ex Racehorse) went lame all of a sudden - real lame in hind. Heat & swelling albeit not much in fetlock area. Vet had him on box rest + bute,seemed better then off the bute, badly lame again, so scan, xray, fluid drawn to rule out sepsis. Only sign is damage to DDFT but when scanned other leg (where no lamenss at all) it also showed DDFT damage???!!! Horse not getting any better after 4 weeks box rest - still on bute. Desperately lame. Vet not happy that it is just DDFT because of the mirrored result in scan on other leg. Vet now considering xraying pedal/coffin bones. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas themselves?

 

[Cloud9]

My horse suddenly went severly lame on his near hind about 18 months ago - box rest and bute and after 3 weeks was still lame - worse when turning round - not too bad in straight lines. He initially had he heat around the fetlock and when vet used hoof testers he showed no reaction at all?! Xrays showed a chip fracture of the pedal bone - he had a further 3 months box rest - special round bar shoes and (touch wood) now seems fine and in work again although have to be careful of trotting on roads and hard ground.

 

[claresummers]

Thanks Cloud 9. Maybe that is what it is?
My vet is possibly on the right track then.
Just want to know what teh problem is - not knowing is so frustrating.

 

[Cloud9]

I know exactely how you feel - my horse was on three legs to begin. Please let me know how you get on with the x-rays - I would be very interested to here. Good Luck

 

[claresummers]

Will do. And thanks.

 

[claresummers]

Well got a definite diagnosis at last. After hoof xray he was nerve blocked. It is his tendon sheath - DDDT. The enigma being the other leg showing similar damage - I had the topic of anatomical differences explained to me by the vet who said this was a currently topic of debate and interest and one of his colleagues had just attended an ultrasonography seminar in Newmarket about this very subject - inconclusive! He is going to have surgery to diagnose further and treat the visible known damage - tenoscopy I think it is, to give him every chance of a full recovery. Not cheap! At least I know what it is now. A long haul ahead it seems! In a way I wish it had have been a pedal bone frac as it seems easier to fix. Ah well, that's horses for you.

 

[brightmount]

Ouch... I take it you've got insurance for that lot

 

[mollymurphy]

Oh dear, i'm really sorry to hear this.

Good luck and don't worry too much - there's loads of high-tech equipment nowadays. Please keep us updated!

Lou. x