Hmm... Why did I buy a needle shy horse?! Roo at the RVC

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ecrozier

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Well... For any who missed this, he has been dropping his right hind slightly now and again for about 2 months, and after I could feel it on better surface at a lesson about a month ago I decided it was time for bet (had had physio in mean time who thought totally sound as did several different v experienced instructors). Called vets on the Friday, they came Monday am - Roo promptly trotte up very lame on off fore :(
Attempted systematic blocks, managed palmar nerve (no difference) low 4 point seemed slightly better, high 4 point and carpal sheath made no noticeable difference.
Anyway long story short, he was being such a monster to inject, we gave up and booked scintigraphy.
Fast forward 3 weeks, scan showed hot spots on both lower hocks, front right foot at sole (but he managed to pull off that shoe 24 hours before he went...) and then the vascular picture seemed to suggest hot spot around his splints.
They tried again to do blocks, but no joy. Splint is painful on palpitation but tbh he would react like that whenever the vet touched him I think!!
So they have X-ray'd foot, clean. Cannon bone, they think the solent does look rather rough, but scan of suspensory looks fine...
So, we don't have any definitive answers. Vet at RVC says his best guess based on less than perfect evidence is that the splint in front and slight spavin behind are our problems.
He's advised 3-4 months off, shockwave, restricted turn out/box rest to avoid too much movement on that splint, then hope he comes sound :(
Know it could be a whole lot worse at this point but so frustrating not to have any concrete evidence that we are treating the actual problem!!
Will need HHO vibes that we are... And fingers crossed he can cope with 4 months rest, without injuring me or him!!
 
Oh frustrating when you can't see what you are treating or even have a positive diagnosis. Lots of vibes for a well behaved Roo and a speedy recovery :)
 
That isn't good, you have to love it when you get these waffley outcomes! I had similar with my grey boy a couple of years back and in the absence of anything conclusive I just turned him away (he had already done 9 weeks box rest) for 3 months, just lobbed him out and left him and he came in sound as anything. I realise every case is different but I am really pleased I didn't continue with the box rest and other treatments that were suggested as we didn't really know what we were dealing with! Sometimes I think we try to treat what we don't know or understand and mental and physical problems we create cause bigger issues (does that make sense)
 
Thanks guys. Star - he's off to priory tomorrow to use the spa/do initial month or so of full box rest.
Jane_lou, totally agree. Vet has suggested restricted turnout would be ok, so my current thinking is 4-6 weeks box rest, as he hasn't done any yet, then try him in a small paddock for another 4-6 weeks. If he doesn't cope, I will as you suggest turn him away til the spring and see...
 
Lol he has always been a ***** to inject, have a feeling he might be 10 times worse now too!!
On positive side, all suspensories look ok!
 
Bob the nota cob is a complete wuss when it comes to needles. The vet was trying to give him a local to stitch up his latest bout of insanity (lets try biting each other). He was leaping about a bit (17.3 tigger)so I cupped my hand around his eye and he stopped immediately because he couldnt see the needle. I was rather surprised because neither the vet nor groom had seen this done before. I do hope the outcome from all this is positive for your horse.
 
Fingers crossed the box rest does the job and you survive it too!

Vinnie is the same with needles and also reacted ridiculously when he is touched by professionals- vets, chiropractors, saddlers etc.
Very difficult to get a true reading from him as you are never sure if something hurts or he is just over-reacting to the new person!
 
Mike007 said:
I was rather surprised because neither the vet nor groom had seen this done before.
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Really? It's quite a common technique and is widely used by vets and grooms. Works quite well on a lot of horses.

OP, good luck. I understand the the lack of definitive diagnosis is frustrating but sometimes it's better that way than trying to fit the symptoms into a box with a name for our convenience. Sometimes things are a collection of several problems and one niggle can spark off another which can impact on yet another yet you may only see clinical signs relating to the final problem initially. You'd be amazed how often horses which have a significant lameness on one leg show up lame on another (previously unsuspected) leg as well once the lame leg has been blocked out.

The rest/restricted turn out for 3-4 months is a suitable treatment for most lamenesses once the tendons/suspensories have been rules out so try not to panic.
 
Bummer - really disappointed for you. Hopefully the box rest will bring him sound again. It's so disappointing when things are going well and then bam, back to the drawing board. Will keep fingers crossed for a thorough recovery.
 
Thanks both, Gamebird yes I think that's what they are thinking, certainly nothing on the scintigraphy to suggest any problems with suspensories or tendons, did have some uptake in the sole of the right fore foot, but he had been without a front shoe for 48 hours so that was believed to be the most likely reason. Seemed to be nothing on the vascular (?) images to suggest any soft tissue damage inside the foot and foot X-rays clean.
 
Mine is (was) ok with vets til they try to inject him, ie can look, stroke, feel a leg (but do get a bit of overreaction!)
Such a hassle!!
 
Roo is DREADFUL with his neck. Had just about got to the stage where I could plait with assistance but have a feeling a week at RVC may well have undone that again!!
 
ecrozier said:
Thanks guys. Star - he's off to priory tomorrow to use the spa/do initial month or so of full box rest.
Jane_lou, totally agree. Vet has suggested restricted turnout would be ok, so my current thinking is 4-6 weeks box rest, as he hasn't done any yet, then try him in a small paddock for another 4-6 weeks. If he doesn't cope, I will as you suggest turn him away til the spring and see...
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I am off there tomorrow to visit Monty so will say hi to your boy. Vet suggested restricted turnout for Monty too but he is such a knob in the field I wanted to give him best chance of healing so went for 8wks box rest and am then gonna get re-scan before turning him out.
 
So sorry to hear you don't have any real evidence and definitive answers...sometimes that's worse isn't it!
 
Definitely worse in some ways... Don't want to get hopes up too much that i might just get a sound horse back in 3 months!!
Roo is in the box Monty was in I thing?! The one with the weave bars? Am going to see how he fares on full rest, if we can do. 6-8 weeks of that as a start point I will be v happy :)
 
Ps he does love a polo or two and will beg for them ;) we can alternate polo giving visits as I am going back on sat!
 
ecrozier said:
Ps he does love a polo or two and will beg for them ;) we can alternate polo giving visits as I am going back on sat!
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I have my polos ready so will make sure he gets some too. Monts will also appreciate extras :) he has been there 5wks now and been really settled so fingers crossed Roo is the same.
 
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