For those that were interested

I would think that if you want a chance of being able to ride him and your insurance will pay the further tests are needed.
Otherwise as I see it you will need to retire him. It wouldn't be fair to continue to ride him without knowing the full story and if any treatment is available.
Yes there are risks but would you want to keep him in pain not knowing the full story?
 
Well done for persevering esp after the first round of tests said he was sound. Ive been in the position where I was told I was over-reacting and I wish I'd been tougher.
 
A horse at my yard had a CT scan on his neck recently, it was done under GA at Liphook, they didn't find anything on his scan though.
I am on the fence as to what I would do if this were my horse, if I recall he also has other issues? In which case I would probably look to retire him (assuming he is happy and comfortable grazing), I did similar with my old mare 17yrs ago after we found issue number 4, she wasn't happy being ridden any more so I retired her.
 
I was made aware of the risk prior to the x rays that mine had and I had accepted it. That's made up of the background risk of a GA and the added difficulty of the procedure plus the contrast.

But as IHW said earlier, the alternative is to retire the horse and just observe external symptoms. That's what I have opted for as the x ray was conclusive, but if the OP wants to keep riding I think its important to have all the information available at this stage. Otherwise it's all guesswork.
 
Why are people saying the alternative to a myelogram is to retire the horse? There are plenty of mild wobblers in work which have never had myelograms. Lots of them are doing dressage competitions.

If the treatment to reduce the inflammation reduces the symptoms to where he is safe to ride, which can be established by external tests, what would be the point of either retirement or the myelogram?

I fully understand some peoples' desires to see the pictures. What I don't understand is why anyone thinks it will get anyone any further forward on how to manage the horse. And personally, before I put a horse I loved through a two per cent risk of death and a much greater risk of complications that could blow my insurance apart and bankrupt me to save him, I'd want that answered.

How will it change his treatment?
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ycbm said:
Why are people saying the alternative to a myelogram is to retire the horse? There are plenty of mild wobblers in work which have never had myelograms. Lots of them are doing dressage competitions.

If the treatment to reduce the inflammation reduces the symptoms to where he is safe to ride, which can be established by external tests, what would be the point of either retirement or the myelogram?

I fully understand some peoples' desires to see the pictures. What I don't understand is why anyone thinks it will get anyone any further forward on how to manage the horse. And personally, before I put a horse I loved through a two per cent risk of death and a much greater risk of complications that could blow my insurance apart and bankrupt me to save him, I'd want that answered.

How will it change his treatment?
.
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Because he's lame, has a multitude of other issues going on, and aside from the welfare implications of riding him, he may not actually, now or in the future, be safe to ride.

I very much doubt that at this point medicating his neck and hocks will solve everything, but I would want clear imaging of the neck issues in order to make an informed decision about his future.
 
For me I would have required the procedure in order to carry on with a treatment/rehab/work programme in good conscience, because that would give more information about the degree of compression, whether there were other sites not picked up on x ray (esp as the OP mentions "a few lesions", best guess at likelihood of success of the treatment, whether there was something else lurking that we couldn't yet see. I believe that the CT myelogram can also identify whether there are other things going on with the spinal cord that aren't just compression from bony changes or malformation.

It's a very personal thing I suspect, but for me, i would not be comfortable with trying to rehab a horse like this without knowing whether we were likely to succeed or not, the heartache involved is too great to start something and fail. Again personally, I would rather take all the info and then decide whether it was worth trying or not.

That's why the alternative for me would be (and was) retirement. Mine was so conclusive that the extra info wouldn't have changed anything but if I'd been unsure, or if there was any doubt as to the severity then I wouldn't have wanted to continue working the horse without knowing as much as we could.
 
FWIW the lameness/neuro guru at my vet hospital told me that with treatment I could carry on riding mine, they could make her pretty much sound but that long term she would deteriorate and there would always be a limit on what she could do even with the treatment.
I decided that didn't sit well with me (and lucky for me I have the space and facilities to let her live out her days at leisure). But if I had wanted to go down that route, as people obviously do sometimes, I would definitely have done the myelogram first.
 
I am glad you have some answers HK, well done on persevering. I don't have any experience in neck issues so I won't tell you or advise you what to do. I just didn't want to read and run.
 
After my mare was rested for 12 month she was seen again at liphook and had a work up and neuro tests, she was much better and passed the sway test which she previously failed on big time. She wasn't though 100% right but vet gave the go ahead to bring her back into work. I was given a 50/50 chance. In hindsight it was the wrong thing to do as she went down hill so quickly an I question the pain she was in restarting her. I had no choice to pts. I think though treatment has come on as that was 7 years ago. OP you should be given some sort of prognosis when he has been rested and treated.
 
This is interesting. My horse with bone spavin developed a very stiff neck to such an extent the vets thought it was neck arthritis. However a bone scan and xrays found the neck clear. If the scans hadn't been clear however I would have gone onto the next stage despite the risks because my horse is young (10) and I'd want to give him (and me) the best chance I could. So all I can wish you is the best of luck in whatever you decide to do!
 
I'm so glad that you seem to be so much closer to getting answers.

I am another who would go ahead with the CT. You have come this far and I would be wanting a diagnosis, rather than a good idea what's going on but still guessing. If it was covered by insurance that is, if it wasn't then I would have to have a think.
 
I'm glad that you have the start of an answer after all this time.

While I am sometimes of the opinion that time is a great healer that goes out the window when you are using insurance. While you have the insurance time and money I would want full diagnostics and as close to a definite answer and prognosis as possible. The time taken just now to take the "softly softly" might be needed at the other end if that doesn't have the desired effect.

With the "benefit" of hindsight I wish that I'd pushed harder with the first vet practice and gotten an answer (on insurance money!) and made a decision then rather than go along with them an end up out of time (with money left) and no MRI, scans or regular x-rays (wasn't through lack of asking). My new/current vets made a world of difference. As much as I loved the bones of my last horse and was in the fortunate position to have two horses I really wish I'd been able to make an informed decision at the beginning rather than 5yrs of stress, worry and heartbreak. Horse was none the worse for it but it did take a huge toll on me.
 
Its finally an answer that explains everything, Headshaking, odd gaits, being great with clippers but not on his neck, struggling with transitions, jogging, tight neck at times, all these weird lameness issues but him working up sound, bashing into poles in lessons, knocking cones down ect
The positive thing is when he was rested for a few months over summer he did improve. The more i think the more i do feel what is the point of putting him through the GA for the scan. I know this is risky but if you then add on top the fact you will be sedating a horse that is uncoordinated (ive said to vets in the past he will go down when sedated so we a have to position him so we can keep him standing) i actually couldn't bare him panicking and causing damage to himself when he comes around. He finds these visits so stressfull. When we collected him he barged out of the slightly open sliding stable door, was breathing heavy and was sweaty, then started rearing in the trailer which just isnt him.
The area which is effected is the C4 so its more specific than i first thought. He is going to have 4 weeks chilling in the field with steroids and vit E then will be re tested in 4 weeks to see if any improvement then we will have a better idea of what the future holds.
Its such a weird feeling to be so upset bursting into tears but relieved all at the same time.
 
Ahh @Horsekaren I am oddly enough pleased to read they found the issue, in a good way at least you know what it is. Neck issues are so difficult to diagnose. My gelding had 2 vets visit who told me nothing was wrong and to kick on, similar to your experience. What you explain above sounds so much like my cobs issues, his canter was awful as well. After we found the issue I kept saying ahh thats why he did this, and that. Its almost a relief.

My other gelding went through GA in February (for another surgery) and was absolutely fine, hes a bit of a head case too. Although we treated my cobs neck arthritis with steriods and no CT scan as he wasn't insured, the outcome/treatment was the same really CT scan or not. The CT scan would of showed the extent of the damage but for £2000 I decided against it. You have to decide what to go for, you know him best.

Everything crossed for you both. Thank you for updating us all was only thinking of him yesterday!
 
Sasanaskyex said:
Blimey, £2000 for a CT scan!? My horse had one last year in Berkeley and it was about £700.
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Thats what the specialist quoted including GA and the special dye or whatever they use to show the spinal cord. Thought it was rather steep! My spaniels CT scan of his front legs this year cost my insurance over £1300 with sedation, when I got a copy of the invoice through nearly fainted. The CT was £1,145, sedation £240.81 plus consultation fee of £230.93 :eek:
 
Ahh okay, yes mine was done standing. It does make you realise what good value large animal vets provide. I know it's expensive still but considering how much heavier horses are than dogs and cats the prices seem really reasonable when you compare.
 
I think this is the stage where you need to consider options .I certainly would try the steroids if only to retire the horse in a greater degree of comfort .
but more expensive difficult procedures that are unlikely to help vets treat the issue I would not personally be doing that .
you have changes on X-ray coupled with a horse struggling to work I would be ending work and retiring .
its a tough place to be I have just done all this neuro work up stuff with one of mine he presented with a intermittently flaccid tail .
I was lucky his problems where acute and he’s come right .
I fear you are not going to be .
 
Goldenstar said:
I think this is the stage where you need to consider options .I certainly would try the steroids if only to retire the horse in a greater degree of comfort .
but more expensive difficult procedures that are unlikely to help vets treat the issue I would not personally be doing that .
you have changes on X-ray coupled with a horse struggling to work I would be ending work and retiring .
its a tough place to be I have just done all this neuro work up stuff with one of mine he presented with a intermittently flaccid tail .
I was lucky his problems where acute and he’s come right .
I fear you are not going to be .
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I agree with this to be honest.

GS, would be interested to hear about your horse and his tail issue please?
 
Horsekaren said:
Its finally an answer that explains everything, Headshaking, odd gaits, being great with clippers but not on his neck, struggling with transitions, jogging, tight neck at times, all these weird lameness issues but him working up sound, bashing into poles in lessons, knocking cones down ect
The positive thing is when he was rested for a few months over summer he did improve. The more i think the more i do feel what is the point of putting him through the GA for the scan. I know this is risky but if you then add on top the fact you will be sedating a horse that is uncoordinated (ive said to vets in the past he will go down when sedated so we a have to position him so we can keep him standing) i actually couldn't bare him panicking and causing damage to himself when he comes around. He finds these visits so stressfull. When we collected him he barged out of the slightly open sliding stable door, was breathing heavy and was sweaty, then started rearing in the trailer which just isnt him.
The area which is effected is the C4 so its more specific than i first thought. He is going to have 4 weeks chilling in the field with steroids and vit E then will be re tested in 4 weeks to see if any improvement then we will have a better idea of what the future holds.
Its such a weird feeling to be so upset bursting into tears but relieved all at the same time.
Click to expand...

It'll be no surprise that I completely support your strategy HK. I simply fail to see how the myelogram would change his treatment to any extent that would justify the considerable risks. I hope that the steroids work to remove the neurological symptoms, and have everything crossed for you both that they will.

.
 
I'm so pleased that you have some sort of answer and that you now have a plan. I cant offer any advice only what I would personally do and honestly its not really worthwhile as its a very personal thing.

:)
 
Sorry to hear the diagnosis. I guessed it was this. It's a horrible condition. Can't see what the myelogram will offer you as in way forward to be honest.
My friends horse as I said before had to be PTS as he was too badly affected. My horse has this weird transposed process at C7/T1 Junction which causes neuro issues but is still be ridden. They are all different. Your horse sounds like it's struggling so it might be kinder to retire. I'd be seeking advice from a specialist but if it were me I'd not be having a myelogram. I can't see the point I'm afraid and the risk as YCBM has already pointed out plus the 1 in a 100 that don't come round from a GA. It's not going to tell you more than xrays would.

Sorry it's not better news but at least you have a diagnosis and that always used to give me a little more to go on.
 
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