I feel such a bad mum...

[_daisy_]

Well had the most awful day ever.

It really started on Friday when I took and Ebi and Willow up for Willows 2nd vaccination and got talking to my vet about Sasha. I discussed with him all her problems and what had gone off more recently. So we decided he better see her to see what he thinks. So we trundled off this morning to the vet centre.

He took all her particulars down then we went out for trot up etc. First off he wasnt really happy with the way she was walking/trotting with her NH so decided to do Flexion tests on her. Well 1st one was bad as after 2 strides of trot he told me to bring her back to walk and fetch her back to him. Decided to have another go and god she could hardly walk let alone trot.
So back into the centre and agreed that wed have a look at last years xrays and re xray her to see if there was anymore change to her NH hock. She actually got her fetlock, hock and stifle joints all xrayed!
Well outcome is that its not really much to do with her hock but her actual stifle. Shes got a lot of degenerative bone change and were assuming that this is the cause of all her problems.

So hes given her a steroid injection with HY-50 Vet aswell (

) only thing about this is that hes warned it might trigger her off with lammi

Really cant be doing with her being badly aswell as having Lammi.

Shes never been a sickly pony - only times the vet has really seen her is for her vaccinations.

I feel so guilty that ive not taken her sooner but shes so unpredictable and hides things very well. One minute her back end is really quite bad, next minute shes messing around with Ebi and Willow in the field like nothings the matter.

CAn anyone give me advice on the injection shes had??

 

[brightmount]

All you could want to know about the injection is here:

http://www.genitrix.co.uk/brochures/hy50_brochure.pdf

My horse had it twice in the fetlock, and the vet didn't mention any possibility of lami. He only mentioned the slight risk of introducing infection into the joint by injecting it.

Don't feel guilty - if only they could talk!

 

[Lucy_Ally]

The steroid is what can trigger laminitis, the other compund will probably be hyaluronate which is a molecule found in synovial fluid and is thought to ease pain and stiffness.
Good luck with your pony.

 

[_daisy_]

thanks will go have a good read up on it.
assuming that this is the synthetic fluid not the steroid then? if so then its the steroid that weve got to be careful off.

god do i wish she could talk - shes been the most amazing pony ever, just want to do her justice nows shes in her old age!

 

[_daisy_]

yes it is the steroid weve got to be careful of - just hope it works.
thanks for the luck i think well need it

 

[Lucy_Ally]

Is she retired?
My old mare had arthritis and at 27 we decided not to go down the steroid route as she had been a laminitic in the past. We managed her well with bute for the days where she was just a bit stiff and needed a helpin hand. Linseed oil which contains high levels of Omega 3 oils is also thought to be good for easing stiffness.
Its so sad when they get old isn't it

but it sounds like you are doing your best for her.

 

[_daisy_]

well kind of - we stopped riding her about 2 months ago but previously to that she was light hacking work with my 4yo. Shes 19 so deserves a quieter life now - she doesnt want to be as active as she used to be.
Shes not stiff but very unhappy with the pain. Dont know if bute alone would help her with this new problem she has - it did work when we were tryng to get her hock to fuse.
Shes on cortaflex (now on double dose to use it up before she goes onto Mobifor) as well as cidre vinegar. Will have to have a look into the linseed oil

I want her to live her days out happy and without pain. I dont think i really want to keep her on bute/painkillers for the rest of her days - im sure shell tell me when shes ready to go, but as yet shes not.

Just to prove that shes a git deep down. Was talking to my mum before i left the yard to go back to work and Sasha took off as she regularly does with mum and trotted down the road out of her way!!!!

 

[glenruby]

Hy-50 Vet is an injection of sodium hyaluronate.Hyaluronate is a natural substance present in connective tissue, cartilage etc. Used in treatment of cases of aseptic (no bacteria present) joint inflammation to improve joint function. Used in cases of non-infectious synovitis to alleviate lameness.