DOD in youngster, poor prognosis, any experience? suggestions?

[Perce]

My lovely boy (rising 2 to make approx 16hh, warmblood) has developed DOD in his right hock and I have been given a very poor prognosis of him ever being a riding horse. (I think that's vet speak for "no chance!") I am obviously absolutely devasted as he was bought for life and i had great plans for us, but....what can you do!!

he became lame at about 12 months, the catalyst possibly being a knock, over winter i thought he had improved but restrictions due to mud and wet weather meant I seldom saw him do much anyway- but he now has bony changes that cannot be operated on or medicated, a hock joint with limited flexion and he is lame still. (occasionally looking ok, but after the vet visit very lame.) I have been told the vets can do no more for him , it's up to his own healing ability, or not!

I have lots of thinking to do around this, but at the moment just want to find out anything i can. He will be checked and x-rayed again in July before the insurance runs out!!
my vet has said chuck out in the field and he will only give bute if he is lame enough to box rest. (doesn't want it to mask pain and lead to more injury in the paddock.)

My present plan is just to let him be and as long as he's comfy let him enjoy himself. He obviously doesn't see some discomfort in his hock as a reason to behave in a plodding way!

there's been lots of posts on here lately about what people do with lame horses and I know I will have to see how he goes. I am lucky enough to have my own land - not enough for the expense of a 'useless' horse to go un noticed but ...- I am also lucky enough to have a nine year old riding horse who is keeping me sane/busy at the moment.

What I am really after, is any experiences of people having similar problems with youngsters. How did you manage it? How quickly did your youngster deteriorate? anything really. How did 'it' cope with doing nothing? Do you still have them?

I don't think box rest is any life for a youngster, but watching a slightly lame horse pratt around in the field is difficult too. But other than the odd day i am not willing to box rest for a lot of time - I want him to have quality of life, not longivity for the sake of it. I would box rest for weeks if i thought it would fix it, but it won't.

so any shared experiences would be appreciated. i am finding this hard to come to terms with but he is the loveliest chap; friendly, gentle, funny and loves company. spent the morning in the barn (raining here again!!) throwing my mare's feed bucket around and scaring himself- hilarious! otherwise followed me around for a cuddle!

thanks for reading - bit long - sorry!!!

 

[Chester87]

I don't know whether you have exhausted all options/2nd opinions etc but if not and you feel it worth another opinion/look at x-rays thena referral to Ian Wright at Greenwood Ellis may be worth a consideration http://www.newmarketequinehospital.com especially whilst he is still covered by insurance.

 

[Perce]

his x rays were looked at by an orthopoedic surgery specialist from Willesley as a second opinion and to see if surgery was possible but due to the position of fragmentation in the hock surgery is not possible.
The vets say nothing more to be done as i did ask if ANYTHING I or they could do.

thanks for response. i will google to check it out.

 

[CBFan]

My filly was diagnosed with DOD at 8 months... physitis in her fetlocks and knees which settled but she also had severe OCD in her stifles and underwent surgery at 16 months... I was told by my vet that she would never be more than a light hack and I was fortunate in that my filly's breeder had offered to take her back as it all happend so soon after I got her (2 weeks)... in hindsight I do wish I'd had her pts because now I fear that she may be asked to do something that she isn't physically capapble of doing - especially as I have since seen her advertised for sale.

I think you are fortunate in that you have your own land but I do understand that there is still a cost attached to keeping such a horse... If I were you I would continue as you are until the insurance money runs out and then review the situation.. from your point of view as well as the animals...

Big hugs... I know how devastating this is...

Out of interest do you have any idea of the cause of it?

 

[CBFan]

My filly was operated on by David Bolt at the RVC.... another option for another opinion if you want it...

 

[minmax]

My 4 yr old has been diagnosed with OCD. He is also a wait and see. He has gone out in his playpen today for the first time after 4 wks box rest. He went for Arthroscopy at Rossdales.
I have mine at livery, he was also supposed to be doing great things so I know how you feel. I bred him so I know everything that has happened to him. Its not something you can stop, if they are going to do something they will.

 

[Perce]

CB fan - don't know what may have 'caused' it. noticed he had what looked like a curb type bump just below his hock but no associated lameness or heat. asked vet to just give it a look. brought him out of the box and he was slightly lame!! the vet seems to think the injury we assume was associated with the 'bump' may have been the catalyst but that this would have developed regardless. after 8 weeks box rest (right through summer when should have been out 24/7 obviously) was still lame so booked in for x ray a week later. some evidence of bony changes so not looking good, but then much less lame! so very slow prearation for turn out and all seemed to go well until a couple of weeks ago when quite lame again so more xrays showinmg deterioration.

thanks for responses. it's so devastating - i suppose it's just helpful to hear from people who have experienced it.

i feel rather helpless and it is difficult to stand by and do nothing, but not sure that getting more opinions helful or possible. my vet was quite definate that nothing could be done. and he showed xrays and discussed them with vet from Willesleys that i believe is experienced and well thought of.