Epiphysitis in Youngster (17 mo PRE) any advice?

M

minkymoo

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 July 2007
Messages
1,852
Location
Beautiful Hampshire
Visit site
My 17 mo youngster has Epiphysitis (Swollen growth plates) in his front knees, left is worse than right. It was noticed at the yard yesterday afternoon and vet has been and x-rayed. Whilst vet was sure it had been there a while, i have to confess that I thought he had big knees, it was only because one swelled bigger than the other that one of the girls from the yard noticed (I am 8 mo pregnant and horses are out all night, they are both out by the time i finish work and the yard checks them every day - so please done't think I am crap!).

Still to wait for final call from the vet as he wanted to get back to the practice & take a closer look at the x-rays, but was hoping for anyones opinion on this & whether this is something that I really need to worry about as the vet was a bit fatalistic, but this is a well known trait for this practice (not always a bad thing but bear in mind).

I'm feeling rather upset at the moment, i so desperately want my little man to be ok, and for the future not to be awful.

Any thoughts?
 
My Filly had it when she was 9 months old (In fetlocks and knees) She was box rested and bandaged and they heeled well. Also reduced protein content of her diet - no balancers, Alfa-alfa etc. be VERY careful that he is not over fed. Hay should be plenty enough, along with a vit ad min supp in a handfull of unmollassed chaff. if box rest isn't an option, restrict turnout to a small paddock.

It isn't the end of the world and should heal well but you might want to check other joints (hocks and stifles especially) to make sure they are clear of OCD and the like as the two can go hand in hand and you want to do it before the insurance excludes it! ;)
 
Good to hear you fully recovered. Re feed he's on a handful of greengold alfalfa and global herbs youngstock supplement. Other than that, just grass and hay.

Vet has said 4 weeks box rest and medicam (?) 2x a day as well as cold hosing & anti inflammatory gel.

Poor littl man :(
 
Your vet will have prescribed Metacam - an anti-infammatory which is more suitable for young horses than bute. We had a few who recovered fully at the stud I used to work at, with box rest, cold hosing, bandaging and the correct diet. Don't panic too much!
 
Yes, Metacam is the one. Thank you for all your positive stories, I feel a but better now. It was such a shock tbh, he's my first baby and I feel terrible for missing it. Our YO and staff are so vigilant, it clearly wasn't obvious.

Better think of some fun things for him to do on box rest then. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top