Hock update

[kinnygirl1]

Had vet today... She wants to go ahead with the ethanol fusion as it seems the steroid is wearing off and lameness is creeping back in. I'm a bit gutted but onwards and upwards. He goes in next week so I might start to record his progress on here as I know a few were interested in this procedure. We are collecting positive vibes for a good recovery.

 

[Achinghips]

Mine had this, but I don't think it made much difference to her way of going. It's not a painful procedure though and very little different from the steroid injections in procedure, though they will inject dye first then X-ray to ensure the compound won't travel up the joint. The big insist was that she was worked very hard afterwards to encourage fusion. The vet made up an exercise plan for me.

I feel good that I tried everything for her. But, truth be told I don't think I would bother with the injections if I was faced with the choice again, for a hacking horse.

 

[kinnygirl1]

Mine had this, but I don't think it made much difference to her way of going. It's not a painful procedure though and very little different from the steroid injections in procedure, though they will inject dye first then X-ray to ensure the compound won't travel up the joint. The big insist was that she was worked very hard afterwards to encourage fusion. The vet made up an exercise plan for me.



I feel good that I tried everything for her. But, truth be told I don't think I would bother with the injections if I was faced with the choice again, for a hacking horse.

Thanks for this. Yes I have been told I'll need to start riding 5 days after his procedure which seems soon but I guess it's to encourage fusion. What would you do instead if you had to make the decision again....just out of interest.

 

[Achinghips]

I think it depends on the age of horse and work being done and personality. I am facing this again at the moment. My lads steroid injections into hocks only lasted six weeks. I have him on turmeric and boswelia which, truth be told, aren't making any difference. The bute however, two a day, is like magic and is working, but he can't be on it long term, I guess. I've also got him on a bit of a diet to keep weight down and he has back on track hock boots to keep them warm overnight. One hock has already fused. He is 16 years old and a heavy horse so keeping weight down is hard. Got vet coming soon to discuss a further strategy .... Hacking helps too, as schooling Is something he finds difficult now. I'm suspecting knee arthritis too, so if that's confirmed, in a highly moveable joint, th e hock arthritis will be a secondary concern and he will be changed to danillon until we have to call it a day, but kept hacking.

 

[Achinghips]

Sorry, just realised I didn't answer your question. Instead, I would have not fretted so much as she wasn't in a great deal of pain and was happy in her temperament and I'd have kept her hacking and given her bute on bad days. My other lad is in pain and this is affecting his temperament, without bute, but my suspicions on the knee will be th decider.

 

[kinnygirl1]

Sorry, just realised I didn't answer your question. Instead, I would have not fretted so much as she wasn't in a great deal of pain and was happy in her temperament and I'd have kept her hacking and given her bute on bad days. My other lad is in pain and this is affecting his temperament, without bute, but my suspicions on the knee will be th decider.

It's so hard to know what to do for the best. Stanley is 10. 1 hock is partially fused the other shows moderate changes. He is lamer on the partially fused one. Bute isn't really an option as he has had gastric ulcers inn the past so we have to avoid NSAIDs as much as possible. I have also tried turmeric and Bosweilla with no notable difference. The steroid only lasted 4 months which is why my vet is keen to do the fusion. It sounds a viable option and is covered by my insurance at this point....I'm just worried it won't work or will lead to other problems in the future and then there is no going back! So sorry you are having to deal with this again btw.

 

[Birker2020]

It's so hard to know what to do for the best. Stanley is 10. 1 hock is partially fused the other shows moderate changes. He is lamer on the partially fused one. Bute isn't really an option as he has had gastric ulcers inn the past so we have to avoid NSAIDs as much as possible. I have also tried turmeric and Bosweilla with no notable difference. The steroid only lasted 4 months which is why my vet is keen to do the fusion. It sounds a viable option and is covered by my insurance at this point....I'm just worried it won't work or will lead to other problems in the future and then there is no going back! So sorry you are having to deal with this again btw.

if you go into the search facility on the forum amd look up fusion with ethanol you will find lots of posts about it. i would do it again as it worked very well for my horse.