Decisions decisions...

[Racerhorses]

My horse was diagnosed with Kissing spine and suspensory ligament desmitis in April. Since then tests were done to rule out an ovarian tumor, these tests came back clear. Unfortunately everything is quite advanced and Ive been given the decision to either have the KS operation and the operation on her suspensorys or have her put to sleep. Tried steroids in her back, helped for a week or so but then wore off, so steroids are not a long term solution as she is only 7years.

She's quite a difficult mare in the respect that she is a bit stressy, very mareish hence why tests were done for ovarian tumor. She's completely changed since last year. She will happily stay in, but then will have that one day where she completely stresses out and is practically coming over the door! Yet she hates being out for more than a couple of hours! She's rather insecure.

She also has an un-diagnosed skin problem/allergy. We never really got to the bottom of what it was. She cannot be left without a rug as she just chews until she makes herself bleed. She dosnt rub her mane or tail.

I really do not know what to do for the best. I absolutely adore this girl and would do anything to have the horse back I bought last year but I'm worried that it all might be too stressful for her or that her behaviour has become that set in her head that even after the ops she will still basically be un-rideable due to her behaviour.

Anybody have any advice or similar situations?

 

[Birker2020]

She also has an un-diagnosed skin problem/allergy. We never really got to the bottom of what it was. She cannot be left without a rug as she just chews until she makes herself bleed. She dosnt rub her mane or tail.
Anybody have any advice or similar situations?

Hi, not had previous experience of this but if I were you I'd be asking the vet to come out and take a skin scraping so they can diagnose what the problem is with her skin. It could be really easy to treat by using an antibacterial wash or similar. The operation on the KS I have read can have quite a succesful outcome although not sure about the SD.

As she is only 7, you have insurance and you are able to rehab her afterwards then I would go ahead with the ops based on the prognosis of the skin infection once it has been diagnosed correctly. But you do need this diagnosis before being able to make a decision as this alone could affect her welfare and you being prepared to keep her in a rug 24/7.

She has age on her side. If she is unrideable afterwards or her temperment gets worse then you can have her PTS after.

But at least you can give her a chance.

That's just my opinion. I wish you luck whatever your decision.

 

[WindyStacks]

Tbh I'd be looking at PTS, for a myriad of reasons she's not a happy horse - and I'm not sure you'd ever be able to fix everything and give her another 25 years of love and patience.

A difficult decision for you I'm sorry.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I'd start with the horse's diet, take it right back to basics, including removing any haylage from the diet and take it from there. IME a reaction to feedstuffs can cause untold problems, not least unpredictable behaviour.

 

[BethH]

From my own rather complicated experience of KS and the mental/behavioural issues it causes and as last week we thought xrays showed PSD in my boy but luckily after bone scan it turned out not to be the case, I hope I am well advised enough about these conditions to provide some info, the choices are very difficult and it is a rollercoaster but for what it's worth here goes:

My boy was 6yrs old with NO other issues when KS was diagnosed, steroids/palliative didn't work, IMHO, if often doesn't and when it does it's because you have a good rider working them very correctly the whole time. My boy was so stressy, spooky, bargy, up and down emotionally and gradually became more of a nightmare. KS contrary to popular belief is low level constant niggling pain 24/7 that gradually grinds them down. After the operation the difference in his attitude and temperament was unbelievable, not straight away but gradually over time he learned to deal with things. He is and always will be uber sensitive but the delightful person he was underneath the pain was allowed to blossom once the KS had been operated on, he has been in work for the last 8yrs and very happy in every respect, very sensitive ride and sparkles with life I have absolutely no regrets about operating, have learned huge amounts but I have had to put in a massive amount of time, effort and patience to be able to move him forwards, had there been anything else seriously wrong I may not have operated, he had age and otherwise health on his side.

Moving on to PSD, this is hard to treat and in some ways contradicts the KS. PSD needs rest and KS they need to get moving and muscled to support the back - although I now believe that how you rehab and keep going a KS horse should be the way you manage any horse - fit, correctly muscled and active seems best. This is the bit you need to talk to your vet about to see if both are do-able, the back will deteriorate without work but the op may give the PSD the rest it needs??? Regarding the PSD how serious is it? I investigate PRP (Platelet replacement plasma) apparently it has had some success and also looked at the ARC equine unit as the chap who invented it was convinced it can help PSD. Again take vet advice but I hope that gives you some info to go on.

My final thought would be don't give up until you have to, if you think she is worth it, she probably is! And make sure that if you go ahead with treatment, you are doing it for the right reasons and be prepared no only for the steps forward but the inevitable steps back and bad days. You will have them, but make them a learning experience. Really the best of luck, I feel for you, a horrid situation that I hope you can work out and that your horse is a strong enough person to get through it all.