Going to have the tie-back op, any info on this much appriciated

[jayvee]

OH horse has been diagnosed with a paralised larynx. In a way we are pleased with the findings being a common condition. We have agreed to the op of a tie back and hob-day. The vet said the horse was a good horse in general and would benefit long term from the two ops. So we're going for it and is booked in feb!
So anyones advice or info would be intresting to hear, the more I understand this op would be helpful. Obviously the vet has been very helpful already and has warned us of complications, but other experiences advice or info would be much appriciated thanks.x

 

[vicijp]

Aftercare is pretty simple. Box rest for 6 weeks, have the staples removed as necessary. The open wound from one half of the op will need cleaning twice daily. I generally wash with dilute hiniscrub, then smear liquid petroleum on for protection.
Generally heals very quickly with no problems.

 

[AmyMay]

Big lad on my yard was hobdayed as a 5 year old. Never had a moments trouble, made a complete recovery. He doesn't have a voice anymore - bless.

 

[jayvee]

Is it common or known for the tie back to un-do its self at any point? be it weeks, or years?

 

[jayvee]

Ahh i wondered if the voice would change or be lost all together?

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Ahh i wondered if the voice would change or be lost all together?

[/ QUOTE ]
Well this horses is gone totally - he neighs in a whisper now - which is something to hear. I do think it's common for them loose them. Although my Freddy had a partial tie back so had some voice.

 

[vicijp]

I have known a horse be tied back 3 times. The second time was about 2 yrs after the first op. I think it is quite rare.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
I have known a horse be tied back 3 times. The second time was about 2 yrs after the first op. I think it is quite rare.

[/ QUOTE ]
Wow - what were the symptoms that it needed doing again? It never occured to me that it could need re-doing.

 

[Blizzard]

My frends TB was hobdayed as a 4 yr old, he was fine after, no voice though.

 

[vicijp]

The horse had been done in the previous ownership (could see on a scope). Worked out when due to his race record (wore a tongue tie for a couple of runs, had time off, then raced without it). He started making a noise so got it investifated.
If a vet is experienced he can get a good idea by popping the palette with a scope, the speed it comes back in gives an indication of paralysis or displacement. Of course for accurate assessment you need a treadmill - but have never known my vet be wrong about one (he can even grade them with a standing scope).

 

[GTs]

[ QUOTE ]
Box rest for 6 weeks, have the staples removed as necessary.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow my horse was out 24/7 2 days after coming home!

Also remember to feed off the ground.

 

[vicijp]

Yours wasnt hobdayed though was it(seem to remember you had whole caboodle out)?

 

[jayvee]

Our vet said horse can come home 2/3 days after op, stabled for a good 3 1/2 weeks to allow hob-day to close over. Also said no point in having just one op, but to have both done together. And thats what we are doing. He also said that it is more common in geldings than mares (no explanation though but intresting).
The op will be carried out by a specialist who will be drafted in to our vets surgery, who does nothing but tie backs and hob-days as a sole profession. So happy about that too.

 

[vicijp]

The geldings and mares thing is interesting. Do you think he meant the condition or the operation? I know a lot of people would give up easier on a mare, so wouldnt bother getting op done.
I dont think ive ever come across a vet who does a tie back without a hobday - which is weird seeing as hobdays have always been viewed as not much cop. Think its a case of 'might as well when we are there'.
Who is the vet BTW?

 

[KatB]

Dont know about after care, ut I know a horse that lost its voice too. He just hissed at everyone!

 

[GreedyGuts]

It's more common in geldings and mares because boys tend to grow quicker, and it's thought that the larynx becomes paralysed because of stretching causing damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The reason that it happens almost entirely on the left side is because this nerve takes a more tortuous route, looping around the blood vessels of the heart and so is more prone to damage on the way. It's also more common in Warmbloods and that's thought to be a size thing too.

I would go for it, because in spite of the possible side effects and the risk of the implant failing, it is really the only option unless you only want your horse for light work. Quite a few successful showjumpers are roarers, but even then it has limiting effects on how much work they can do, and dressage judges don't tend to like the noise.

Hope it goes well.

 

[sallyf]

I would be interested to know what vet and which practice as well as ours do alot of ops with a visiting specialist for there near neighbour trainer.

 

[GTs]

[ QUOTE ]
Yours wasnt hobdayed though was it(seem to remember you had whole caboodle out)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah we pulled it all out - she made a really manly, rough noise when she tried to speak. Her hospital stay was 9 days.

 

[jayvee]

[ QUOTE ]
The geldings and mares thing is interesting. Do you think he meant the condition or the operation? I know a lot of people would give up easier on a mare, so wouldnt bother getting op done.
I dont think ive ever come across a vet who does a tie back without a hobday - which is weird seeing as hobdays have always been viewed as not much cop. Think its a case of 'might as well when we are there'.
Who is the vet BTW?

[/ QUOTE ]

He was refering to geldings as having the condition, not the op.
I guess you mean the specialist vet, who is Geoff Lane, based Bristol I think.

Re GreedyGuts, vet said too it is more common in heavier breeds and our one is that and a gelding! And is the left larynx too.

 

[jayvee]

Get this... When vet listened to heart immediately after a short gallop (and that was a struggle to do and was well out of breath), the heart rate was 180!!! He said a typical rate for a normal horse doing that same exercise test would be around 90!! Scarey or what!! Poor horse!
Vet said his heart is strong and had no murmurs which is a huge relief to know.

 

[vicijp]

He does ours too.

 

[jayvee]

lol, so we're in good hands then eh?

 

[GTs]

My vet would not have been able to hear the heart over the noise the horse was making - she made so much noise she would scare herself.

 

[Lottie7]

Geoff Lane rocks!

He did a hobday on my horse. He scoped him and said he would not recommend the tie back for him as it would present too many complications for a horse of his age (13 at the time). I was grateful for the frank advice as I bred the horse and did not want to put him in any greater danger than absolutely necessary. He still has a voice although it is a little hoarser than usual. THe operation improved his exercise tolerance hugely but he was not able to return to eventing. He did enjoy show jumping though and went to Grade B.

Has Mr Lane actually scoped your horse yet? I would recommend him personally doing that first as his advice differed from my other specialist equine vet. He really knows his stuff.

Be prepared for the smell from the hobday wound. It gets worse before it gets better but heals amazingly quickly.

Good luck.

 

[jayvee]

This is very reassuring to know that this guy is the best. He hasn't seen our horse but he will on the day of op! So i would imagine if he felt any different needed doing I expect he would make that decision. Our horse is 8. It all seems a rather big thing to do, but want to do it as only option to help improve his quality of working life, being a lovely horse already its worth doing.

 

[Lucy_Ally]

Geoff Lane really is very good, your horse will be in safe hands. He has done extensive research in respiratory disease in the horse and really knows his stuff and has an excellent team. I did some research within his group whilst I was at Bristol and have to say he is a lovely guy as well.
Good luck.

 

[Dovorian]

We had a horse which was hobdayed - 18hh IDXWB & a gelding, never given it much thought until reading everyone else's views on this. At the time I think he was about 6, ex 'serious' show hunter and thereafter became masters horse

 

[lucemoose]

just wondering-seem to be many people who have experience of the tie back here! horse next door to mine (5 yo TB, raced 6 times)has had this done. All he seems to do is snort continuously, and shoot his partially chewed gunk out his mainly left nostril. euuwww. Also has learnt how to rinse his nose out by drinking, 'pinching' his nostrils shut then moving and draining his nose. again euuuuuwww. is this a result of the op? and does it seem normal?

 

[malibu211211]

Hi,
My boy was hobdayed with previous owner about 4 years ago. He is 12 now and the only problem he has (apart from a joint prob

) is before he has warmed up he does cough. The vet has checked it out and cannot find anything wrong and thinks he is just clearing himself.
Some people have said that he probably does that because he was not really bought back into work until I had him, he just hacked out occasionally but I don't know whether that is right or not?
Also when we go for a bit of a whizz it does tak him a minate or so to catch his breath so I tend not to do that very often.
When I first had him he could barely whinny but it has got stronger although it is very deep

People do tend to look when he does it at a show

GT's have you still got your pics of Stella's op?

 

[jayvee]

[ QUOTE ]
just wondering-seem to be many people who have experience of the tie back here! horse next door to mine (5 yo TB, raced 6 times)has had this done. All he seems to do is snort continuously, and shoot his partially chewed gunk out his mainly left nostril. euuwww. Also has learnt how to rinse his nose out by drinking, 'pinching' his nostrils shut then moving and draining his nose. again euuuuuwww. is this a result of the op? and does it seem normal?

[/ QUOTE ]

Being new to the condition myself, I can only briefly quote what the vet said about what you describe as one of the 'running the risk' complications as a result of the op.
About the tie-back being done too much (tied too far back) that the larynx cannot close well enough to stop food coming back up out the mouth and nostrils. This is not good. As food can get down into the lungs and cause infection and or either cause reoccuring choke. I would be concerned.
If our op resulted in this we definately be getting it looked at as from what I understand is if the op is successful it shouldn't happen.
It may be management related, as feeding off the floor is a must after op.