Depromedrone Injection?

[Misteeq]

Hi,

My pony who is has only just turned 6 has been diagnosed yesterday with mild arthritis in both hock joints. He has never gone lame and passed the flexion tests with flying colours.

He currently drags his back feet in trot, which is why I picked up something wasn't quite right.

To cut a long story short, the vet (Graham Russ) who was excellent has recommended that he needs a Depromedrone injection into each hock joint, along with hard work, and special surgical wedge healed shoes for the next six months.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience of using Depromedrone for arthritis. Any comments good or bad would be most appreciated.

Thanks very much.

 

[samuelhorse]

My boy has hock spavin.
I researched it and refused as the steroid can cause laminitis, which my lad is predisposed to.
You must be registered at Oaklands are you?
The riding will fuse the joint and once it has fused with the arthritic changes causes horse no more pain.
I was advised to give a glucosamine supplement and find regular light work much better for him than any time off, when he becomes stiff.

Friends horse however had steroid injected into pastern area with great results and only needed the one injection.

 

[Misteeq]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I am registered at Oaklands, and I found Graham Russ excellent.

I really don't know whether to let my pony have these injections to be honest. The side effects horrify me, especially laminitis as I lost a beloved pony to this 2 years ago.

I was hoping more people would reply to the post.

Most people I have spoken to have said let him have it, but I'm really not sure. He only has very mild arthritis in both hocks, and as it has been diagnosed at the early stages, then I'm thinking does he really need these injections at this stage?

He is having special shoes fitted on wednesday as recommended by Graham Russ, so I'm thinking whether or not to see how he is after they have been fitted.

Any other opinions on this topic would be greatly appreciated as I really don't know what to do.

Thanks