DJD when did you call it a day?

G

gable

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 January 2009
Messages
403
Visit site
My horse has just been diagnosed. The x rays show it is in his pastern joint and is pretty bad. He is having weekly injections of cartrophen for 4 weeks then reassess. He can have bute for as long as he needs it. I'm not hopeful. He can then have steroid injections for 4 weeks if the cartrophen doesn't seem to help.
When do you call it a day, say enough is enough?
 
you know your horse and quality of life is the most important part. However depending if this is newly diagnosis etc will be another factor if this is a first round of treatment you really need to give it a chance to work. its a difficult one but i would give the treatment a chance to work and after that if no improvement and horse is still in pain etc i would call it a day better a day to early than a day late
 
Sorry to hear about your mare :( you did the right thing and she'd be so grateful to you for making that tough decision.

I think as horserider says your horse will tell you when he's had enough.
 
Just turned him out in the field after 2 weeks of boxx rest, he tried to buck and squeal, but couldn't. He had his first injection yesterday
 
He is 15.
Hunts in the winter, dressage and fun rides in the summer.
He will live out but wont stay out over winter, he just stands by the gate wanting to come in.
He has been stiff for a while but get better when exercised, which he is/was most days.
He has sweetitch too so has to stay rugged up and lotioned and potioned.

He went lame 2 weeks ago after a fall which the vet has said has aggrivated his condition which he would have had for a while without showing signs of lameness but the x rays yesterday confirmed it
 
I think it depends totally on the horse.
We have a lad on our yard who is 22. He has DJD, sidebone and ringbone. Some days he is bad and others are ok. His owner takes each day as it comes and on his good days he goes for a pootle up the lane and loves it. He still has that spark. His routine is adjusted as and when for his knees.
 
Hi my exmoor was diagnosed with DJD 11 years ago, and had all xrays and everything, the vet gave him 2 years at the most his knees were like snow in the xrays, he had his injections and was put on glucosamine 5000, witch I found realy good and snaquin wtich at the time was 150 pound but lasted a while, it took him a fiew month to get as some would say, a normal horse (no DJD) and now 11 years later he is just geting to the point were I may have to have a think on what to do for the best, but he has now also got cusions and arthritis in his hips, I had to be on yards with winter turnout only jumped every now and again, but not be stupid still hacked did shows and galloped, hope all this will put your mind at ease xx
 
gable said:
He is 15.
Hunts in the winter, dressage and fun rides in the summer.
He will live out but wont stay out over winter, he just stands by the gate wanting to come in.
He has been stiff for a while but get better when exercised, which he is/was most days.
He has sweetitch too so has to stay rugged up and lotioned and potioned.

He went lame 2 weeks ago after a fall which the vet has said has aggrivated his condition which he would have had for a while without showing signs of lameness but the x rays yesterday confirmed it
Click to expand...

If it's only a fortnight that he's been lame then that's no time at all to me. I actually thought from your post that he had been lame for months, sorry.
In that case, I'd personally give him the chance for a bit longer unless you feel he is in too much pain to continue but it does sounds as if he will be nearing a much slower lifestyle to accommodate his issues if he does indeed come sound; only you can say if that is not what you want for/from him or whether you can afford to keep a horse which can't do what you want; many are and have been in your same position so don't be ashamed to admit (to yourself at least) that you want more from him which he'd be unable to deliver and it would be unfair to ask of him.
I think by giving him a month or so, it will give you a chance to decide what you want and how he is reacting to treatment too which will give you more of a decision, one way or the other. I do have to say, from your description, that he doesn't sound a very good retirement prospect if he's not even happy out in the field for a day which makes it doubly difficult for you.
Let us know how you get on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top