Horse diagnosed with DJD - any advice?

[Hullabaloo]

My horse hasn't been right on and off for the past few weeks (since the ground got hard really). I had the vet out today and he did lots of flexion testing and poking and proding. He recons Boo has degenerative joint disease in his left fore and right hind and is coming back next week to do nerve blocks and xrays on Tues.

I know he can't tell me any more until we can see what we're dealing with and I won't get any answers until Tues but I can't help worrying about him. The vet has talked about a range of options from joint suppliments and bute when he needs it to cortisone (sp!) injections depending on what he finds (but he did say these would be tricky as its the fetlock joints that are affected).

It just seems unfair as he's only 12 and hasn't exactly had a hard life.

I know its a common problem and lots of people are dealing with far worse, but just wondered how other people manage to keep their horses fit and happy with this condition, what treatment they have and what level of work they are able to do. Any advice will be gratefully received!

 

[Tia]

I had a little mare that I had x-rayed as she kept running short on hard ground. Turned out to be DJD; vet was pretty pessimistic until I told him that on soft ground she was always always sound. He suggested just keeping her going throughout the year to see what happened.....we did, and she remained sound. I sold her to a girl who ended up doing serious Hunter Trials on her and in the 10 years she's had her, she has never been unsound again.

We did nothing for our pony, no bute or injections; vet thought best to let nature takes it's course and see what happens. The x-rays showed that she had small bony spurs coming off at her fetlock joint.

Good luck with yours.

 

[merlinsquest]

Ask your vet about IRAP therapy.... my horse was one of the first ones to be treated in this country and has done really well. He has serious arthritis in the fetlock so DJD i suppose, the IRAP is supposed to help to 'mend' the arthritic changes... or Tildren which is supposed to stop the changes ( I think)!!

 

[Hullabaloo]

Thanks both. I haven't heard of IRAP therapy before. Will definately look into it before the vet comes back.
He's been fine all winter on the soft ground. Just my bad luck he's a git to ride in winter and a lovely laid back chap in summer!