Ethanol treatment for hocks - any experiences, can you BE ?

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WelshWarhorse

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I am now on my last chance option for fixing my boys hocks. He has had steroids, tildren and lots of time but nothing has really worked. The vets have suggested injecting ethanol in to the joint to chemically fuse it and given nothing else has worked and having been given assurance that it is safe, I am going to try this option. I just wondered if anyone had any experience of horses having this treatment and coming sound long term?

[FONT=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif]Views and opinions very much welcomed, also does anyone know if you are allowed to event after this sort of procedure Someone has said that it might be classed as de-nerving ? It's only very low level 80-100's

Thanks [/FONT]:)
 
Hi I haven't tried this...yet!! This will be the next step for my mare as similiar to yourself have had steriods x 3 and Tildren which appears to have had a good effect. She did go a bit stiff earlier this year but think that was with the hot summer and hard ground.
One of vets we use said they had had a good success rate with it. They had done 10 horses and had good results on 8.
I know the horse has to be a suitable candidate for it,they do a 'trial' run on joint to ensure it goes in right joint and there is a recovery programme to follow. I was told that if it worked and healed no reason why she coudn't jump as planned (daughter wants to do 1m +)but obviously each case is individual to that horse and would just see how she coped.
Vet said it kills the nerve endings and softens the bone and when healing it fuses. Was told chance they could regrow but think she was saying that as in they have to tell you all pros and cons so you can make a desicion.

What are the options for your horse if you don't get it done?

With ours I would probably take on the horse if rideable as I have no competitive ambitions so wouldn't bother me but she would get another to jump.Or if lame pts.

So I look on it as we have nothing to lose giving it a trying if it as a last resort
 
This will be the next stage for my horse too. Had steroids and Tilden twice in last year. Has graduated heart bars on behind too now. He's sound at moment but once this wears off gonna ask for the ethanol.
 
WelshWarhorse said:
I've posted this in another forum and so far haven't had any positive experiences :( So torn, doesn't seem to be many people who have had this done.
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The vet who suggested it was very positive about the outcome tbh.As long as your horse meets certain criteria for it. Just said its not a case of zap and back to work.Also was relatively cheap £300.He was so positive I wondered why didn't they just do this in first place but reason was that if it didn't work you can't go back and try steriods/Tildren but like me you have tried these.
Daughter wants to get back in her BS so thats what we would do and just see how she goes.Which is all we can do.

I would ask vet all your questions and worries to help you make an informed decision

Drives you mad doesn't it trying to decide whats best.
 
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