High Articular Ringbone - Treatment advice

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Twirly

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Hi, Already posted in NL2, but it was suggested I try in here also, so sorry if you've had to read it twice!
I wondered if anyone had any experiences of treatments being offered to my mare for her very severe and aggressive ringbone (right fore)
Corticosteroids haven't worked and She's still very lame on 2 Danilon a day on restricted turnout.
She's already retired from ridden work due to numerous other orthopaedic issues that she is already reciving treatment or had surgery on (arthritis in neck, spine & sacro, navicular both fronts, spavins & PSD both hinds, deformed spine and spinal ligament compression) so treatment is purely to help her remain paddock sound.

Options I've been given are

1. Surgical Arthrodesis
Actually already discounted this as it is too invasive and involves too much stress for her with a month at the vet hospital - where she gets extremely stressed..already had surgery there on both her hindlegs plus up to 6 months box rest with only a 60% chance of working. I'm not prepared to put her through this.

2. Chemical fusion, vet says last resort due to pain involved for horse and possibility of damaging other joints close by

3. Neurectomy..lots of possible complications, but least stressful / invasive. She's already had both hocks done fairly successfully, but obviously this one carries more risks of injury and infection complications as she won't feel her foot

Would love to hear from anyone with experience of any of these treatments, good or bad as the only other option on the table is PTS. If anyone has been offered any other options it would be good to know too

Thanks
 
I've not read your post in NL2 but why are you considering either of these 3 options? Is it for you or the horse? TBH it sounds like you are trying everything just to keep the horse going and perhaps not seeing the bigger picture. I'm really sorry if that sounds mean; it's definitely not how it's meant.

I'm sorry but if I was in your position and had a horse with that list of unfixable and degenerative problems plus the fact that she's uncomfortable just now (assumption since these options are to try to make her comfortable) I think I'd let her go instead of putting her through any more...

2 danolin is quite a large dose of painkiller (according to my vet as my mare was on 2 per day previously) and if she's still not field sound and comfortable on that then I think it would be time.

I have a mare with navicular and spavins so I sort of know where you are coming from although she is comfortable. Her conditions aren't "fixable", and I wouldn't even consider a neurectomy or what I consider to be painful corticosteriodal injections for her, but she is comfortable and paddock sound. As soon as she stops being so or lets me know in any way then she will be pts.

It's a horrible position to be in and hope you manage to do what is best for your horse. Best wishes
 
Hi Thanks for replying, believe me I see the bigger picture. I've lived the last year watching all my hopes and dreams come crashing down around me every time I'm told she's OK. Every thing I've done...including moving house so I could retire her to home where I can keep an eye on her, has been to make her comfortable and give her a decent quality of life until the time comes.

I had already made the decision not to put her through any more, but my vets have asked me to consider the further treatments listed and I feel I need as much information as possible from people who have gone through this to go back to them with justification for my decision.

Where we are at the moment - Treatment for navicular and spinal problems working, those areas are currently pain free. She had a successful double fasciotomy and Neurectomy on the hinds last December to help the PSD and sacro issues and was actually cleared for a return to ridden work in the Spring.

However it became apparent she had a major problem as soon as she started walk work. Initially it was thought that it was a flare up of the navicular and she was booked in for an MRI to see what was going on. Blocks prior to this showed the issue was further up and Xrays confirmed that it was the ringbone. Xrays in November were totally clear.
Surgical Arthrodesis was offered at this point and I turned it down immediately, opting for corticosteroids and restricted area turnout as less invasive and stressful for her.
I was told to expect 6 months between treatments and it was agreed that this was not too stressful for her. Incidentally as the injections are in the pastern which is painful anyway she is sedated prior to treatment.
Despite looking sounder than she has in years afterwards, She has unfortunately gone lame again very quickly (7 weeks)
I put her back on the Danilon whilst referring back to the vets, but I've had to keep the dose high to keep her comfortable.

I'm sorry that you think I'm doing this for me, maybe I'm too emotional but yes your post did come across as more than a little harsh....
 
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I'm sorry that you think I'm doing this for me, maybe I'm too emotional but yes your post did come across as more than a little harsh....

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry that really wasn't my aim at all.

I know how easy it is to get caught up when you are still being offered options and you feel "bad" for not doing more. My current vet says, "just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should".

It sounds like you have already been through the mill with her and tried all feasible options available to you so far. It's just my opinion that in the same position with a horse who had the same ailments then I would pts if they were no longer field sound and comfortable given the other options available. I am sorry if that offends you.
 
I had a horse some years ago who got ringbone due to a blow to his pastern in a road accident. His foot and leg was put in plaster for 12 weeks and the bones fused with no other treatment. His other injuries did not affect him long term and he went on to event.
But quality of life is the important thing - if she is happy and the treatment is not painful or invasive, and she can cope with any necessary restrictions, I would go ahead, as long as you can afford it.
My old boy, a different horse, was retired at 12 and he is now 26. He had suspensory problems and a full work up showed arthritis and navicular. He can't be stabled because the arthritis became worse but he is still quite obviously happy. My Vet said that I should not assume that he is in pain because he moves in an unsound way. He will move in a way that is comfortable for him. But he will not cope physically or mentally with being stabled - so if something else goes wrong then pts.
 
I'm sorry you're in this position but I'm afraid I have to agree with previous poster. My boy is currently retired with collateral ligament damage, suspensory damage, sacroilliac damage and possible hock issues. However he is paddock sound free from pain killers. I would not consider any invasive treatment to keep him sound and I believe all of the above options are invasive to a certain degree. We were offered a neurectomy for my lads front legs but I refused. I do not believe it is a safe option. It could lead to your horse doing serious damage to itself without it knowing. I'm afraid I would be looking at pts. It is heartbreaking but you need to consider her long term future.
 
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