Help please, kissing spine

[TicTac]

I know this subject has probably be covered on a number of occasions, but untill you have a particular need to be interested,some post just pass you by, so please forgive me if this is an old subject.

My mare has just come home from horsepital having being diagnosed with ' kissing spine' The trouble is it's not just one or two vertabrae involved but 7, starting from just behind the wither to just before the pelvis. The two options are injections into the vertabrae or an operation to remove, in her case 4 bones and this would be a big operation.

I have brought her home having opted for the injection. I am not sure about putting her through such an operation and want to do more research on it before even giving it consideration.

Please could any of you good folk tell me of you experiences with this condition either good or bad. I have posted this in NL as well. Thank you :-(

 

[Butterbean]

Very sorry to hear about your horse's diagnosis. My horse was diagnosed with KS in 2008. Tried injections in his back first but they had no effect so I opted for surgery. I have to say though I really wish I hadn't as it did not cure the original problem which had led to the diagnosis (a gait abnormality in canter which had developed suddenly) & he was so stressed during the rehab (hated box rest & lunging). He then developed an eye problem which may have been brought on or exacerbated by the stress, we will never know. But with hindsight I would never have put him through the surgery (by the way he was only 7). Of course other people have had much more positive experiences, which have resulted in happy sound horses in full work, all I would say is think really carefully and do what you think would be best for your horse.

 

[HollyP]

Hi,

My mare had 7 impinged vertabrae too! but hers were in the middle of her back....She was 17 and the injections just wasted my time and did nothing. So I opted for the surgery and I am so glad I did! Yes it was VERY hard, she had colic after the op, she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics which opened up the wound and I was broke due to the cost of rehab but it was all worth it....She is sooo much better. She wasnt ready to be ridden after the 3 month rehab, maybe because she was older, but I brought her home after about 6 months (we were slowed down by the infection) and a year and a half on I have a very happy happy horse!

Where you horses are sounds a bit different though....which vets did you go to? and did they seem happy to be operating in those areas?

In my opinion the injections are a short term option and in insurance terms I guess if the problem gets worse in 2 years time you arent able to claim anymore for the operation.

 

[Lace57]

my 7 yr old TB had kissing spines and I went straight for the operation as recommended he never showed any signs of kissing spines he just didnt like getting in deep to a fence but we easily sj of a slightly longer stride. I wish I hadnt had the operation and kept with no deep strides. He turned completely headshy after op. apparently they had problems getting catherter (sp!) in his face. He was miserable after op and no longer cuddly. He turned spooky to hack out (used to be the most laid back horse that i LOVED to hack). He napped and reared after op too. Completely changed horses personality. Although his eventing drastically improved and was placed in top 3 every time out at intermediate. I personally wouldnt put horse through it again as I lost my best friend who was sold in the end as I didnt trust him any more and he scared me!