celticdiamond
Well-Known Member
Hi all, sorry this is a long post! My horse was diagnosed yesterday at Leahurst following nerve blocks, X-rays, bone scan and ultrasound with evidence for facet joint arthritis and proximal suspensory desmitis in his right hind and left fore.
Here is the story so far:
Back in April we had a lesson where horse didn't feel "quite right behind" in the school although was fine out hacking, so had a little time off (2 weeks) to reassess and no improvement so called the vet out. They thought he was showing mild neurological signs so said possible wobblers syndrome. Obviously heartbroken at this point having only had my dream horse 7 months 😢 Due to strangles on the yard we couldn't take him to the vets so had to wait. A second reassessment in early June showed slight improvement to neurological signs but lameness in front. Queue referral to Leahurst.
Following initial assessment mildly lame on 3 legs (gah!) and showing mild neurological signs still. Bone scan picked up hotspots on near fore and off hind suspensories and nothing else. X-rays of neck picked up "slight changes to spine - possible arthritis of facet joints on cervical spine" but this didn't show on bone scan. Vet can't be sure his neurological signs are a result of the arthritis or not. Had cortisone injection into neck.
Currently now on 3 months field rest before reassessment of the neurological signs. If improvement then we'll operate on the hind leg suspensory, if not then a decision will be made. Can't operate yet due to the danger of his wobbliness causing problems under GA.
Question to all you lovely people: can a horse have active facet joint arthritis and it not show up on the bone scan but only on X-ray? He's 9 so the vet said it can be a normal change on the neck as it's so mild. Or has anyone had a horse with similar problems and what was their treatment/prognosis? Trying to get my head around the 3 problems that are all going on!
Cup of tea and cookies for those who got this far!
Here is the story so far:
Back in April we had a lesson where horse didn't feel "quite right behind" in the school although was fine out hacking, so had a little time off (2 weeks) to reassess and no improvement so called the vet out. They thought he was showing mild neurological signs so said possible wobblers syndrome. Obviously heartbroken at this point having only had my dream horse 7 months 😢 Due to strangles on the yard we couldn't take him to the vets so had to wait. A second reassessment in early June showed slight improvement to neurological signs but lameness in front. Queue referral to Leahurst.
Following initial assessment mildly lame on 3 legs (gah!) and showing mild neurological signs still. Bone scan picked up hotspots on near fore and off hind suspensories and nothing else. X-rays of neck picked up "slight changes to spine - possible arthritis of facet joints on cervical spine" but this didn't show on bone scan. Vet can't be sure his neurological signs are a result of the arthritis or not. Had cortisone injection into neck.
Currently now on 3 months field rest before reassessment of the neurological signs. If improvement then we'll operate on the hind leg suspensory, if not then a decision will be made. Can't operate yet due to the danger of his wobbliness causing problems under GA.
Question to all you lovely people: can a horse have active facet joint arthritis and it not show up on the bone scan but only on X-ray? He's 9 so the vet said it can be a normal change on the neck as it's so mild. Or has anyone had a horse with similar problems and what was their treatment/prognosis? Trying to get my head around the 3 problems that are all going on!
Cup of tea and cookies for those who got this far!
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