I just don't know what to do? RE: PTS

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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I apologise in advance for another moany post but I am sat here so confused about Andy's future and need some guidance.

Background: Andy is 15, he has ulcers, liver problems (both are currently under control and causing no harm atm but still has to be carefully managed.) He has just been diagnosed with kissing spines. Before all of this he was out competing regularly ever since he was a yearling. The reason we did some investigating was because although he's always been quirky and nuts he started broncing a lot under saddle and when girthing up. Surgery is not a viable option.


Why do I feel like everyone is pushing me towards having him pts? I can understand my mum's point of view as financially we are going to struggle to afford his frequent vet visits once the insurance runs out and I start uni. But the vet just doesn't seem to be helping. He had steroid injections into his muscle not into spine as the vet didn't think this would work but I don't understand why not.

Andy is still not right under saddle but I haven't been given any clue to fitness regime and building up. I got on him after injection just to see how he was and he was fine so decided to get physio and then long rein to build muscle up get saddle fitter then start riding again. But vet thought physio was waste of time as did the physio.

I just feel like I've been left on my own with issues I know nothing about. All I know is I have to make a decision on whether I pts or not but I don't feel like I've tried everything I just feel like I'm giving up on him if I do. He's still galloping around the field like a loon and looks happy enough. How can you put down an animal that looks so normal?

I don't really know what I'm asking really, I just needed to vent and try to understand what is going on. I just wish someone would decide for me or he could just get better and be my lovely fun boy again :(
 
I have no suggestions but just wanted to say it is awful when you are fumbling around in the dark. Is your vet not communicative? Perhaps you could write a list of questions for him.
 
I'm so sorry you feel like you are in this position. I'm afraid only you know him, and therefore know what 'he' wants, or feels.
I can't answer any of your questions, I've never been in that situation before. I really wish there was a clear cut answer for you.

If you're asking what others would do in the same situation, from what you have said, and from what is not in my bank account, and in my case no insurance, I'm afraid to say it would be PTS, using the hunt before the winter. I know it is the horrible answer, and we all hate it. For that I'm so sorry.

I hope, some how you can find further help and guidance, and support. Andy is a credit to you.
 
Nope to hospital, my vet really hasn't been helpful. I'm considering going to a different one but don't know how that will affect ongoing insurance claim? Plus current vet has known Andy for years (longer than I have) so feel like he knows all his weird quirks and when he isn't right.

I also wish it was clear cut, either he was healthy enough and it was worth to keep him going or he was so bad I had no doubt to pts. I just don't want to make the wrong decision and end up putting a healthy horse down or keeping a horse in a huge amount of pain going for no reason.
 
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Ring him tom8rrow and tell him you want a referral to an equine hospital. If he refuses ask him for his case notes and go direct.
 
It sound like you need to be able to talk more frankly to your vet tbh.

At a guess I would presume the steroid was injected into the muscle as that was where the inflammation was rather than in the joint.

Would you be up for retiring him if necessary? Obviously this is sometimes financially prohibitive if you don't have your own land along with associated vets fees (and I do think the finances are relevant and therefore suspect your mum does need to have some input too).
 
Sometimes you can't make them better it hard to take sometimes but it is true .
You could have him referred but in the first place I would see if you could have a talk with the vet make a list of the questions you want to ask and what you don't understand ,the vet will be getting a hefty fee for the work he's/ she's done so don't be afraid to expect them to explain and then explain again if necessary.
It's not a nice place to be I am sorry it's happened to you.
 
Out of interest Amymay what would the equine hospital do? Investigate further or something else?

The injection was into his neck so where you would give any injection not actually into his spine. I would happily retire him if I thought he'd be fine my mum wouldn't though and although I pay for most of Andy I still need help from my mum so it is also her decision. I'm also worried how he'd winter, but then I worry how he'll go through every winter and so far he's been fine.

I will make a long list of things I need to discuss. In all fairness I plan to ask him so much but end up forgetting all of it so writing it down will help. I think he's trying to help but also knows we are on a budget so trying to make it as cheap as possible.
 
I was in a very similar position almost 2 years ago now. Horse was always quirky and tricky but was always competing fine until he started refusing to move forward, bucking on the spot and rearing.

Surgery was not an option so I turned him away (still lunged in a pessoa to keep his muscles up), but I hate to say after 6months he was in pain. I couldn't subject him to a life on bute as he was only rising 7. I made the decision to have him pts. It was the hardest week of my life in between making the decision and it happening. I still think about him constantly as he was my "pet" and "baby" but it was the right decision.

I am so sorry you are in such a dificult situation.
 
I would expectbthem to review his history. They may agree with your vet, they may not. But they will have the facillities to review him thoroughly. And may recommend an mri
 
Kokopelli said:
Andy is still not right under saddle but I haven't been given any clue to fitness regime and building up. I got on him after injection just to see how he was and he was fine so decided to get physio and then long rein to build muscle up get saddle fitter then start riding again. But vet thought physio was waste of time as did the physio.

I just feel like I've been left on my own with issues I know nothing about. All I know is I have to make a decision on whether I pts or not but I don't feel like I've tried everything I just feel like I'm giving up on him if I do. He's still galloping around the field like a loon and looks happy enough. How can you put down an animal that looks so normal?

I don't really know what I'm asking really, I just needed to vent and try to understand what is going on. I just wish someone would decide for me or he could just get better and be my lovely fun boy again :(
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how is he not right? still broncing? not cantering? etc...
when were injections done? and when did you sit on him again? have you ridden since then? why was physio waste of time?
sorry about questions, but they help
there is no real 'fitness regime' for ks, it depends on how the horse is etc etc.

my vet sort of 'dropped' me when we were diagnosed with ks... but once the injections are in what else can they do? is there anyone near by who you can talk to about ks? or someone near you who has a horse with ks? just to have back up etc. unfortunatly we went into rehab completely blind and just guessed our way though, took longer but we are *there* now!

what other options do you think you missed? have you got any ideas of what you want to try?

your last paragraph describes how i felt perfectly. i didnt want to make any decicion...but ultimatly i had to and i look back now thinking that it was good that i chose what happened to my horse! my boy is not the same horse he was but i still love him and i think he loves me still!
 
I think you need as much info out of current vet before taking him elsewhere as there is no point in repeating tests etc especially depending on how healthy the insurance budget is.
 
If you have insurance atm, you are not really on a budget yet though. I agree that you need to ask your vet the questions that you want to know the answers to and insist that he answers them to the best of his knowledge, there may be some that he can't answer.
If you feel that the horse has a good quality of life, there may well be merit in turning him away and postponing any final decision for twelve months. Dr Green and a lack of intervention can sometimes be the best thing for a horse. If your Mum would have been prepared to help you keep him, if he were sound, grass livery/retirement livery might help to persuade her to give him a bit longer.
Your mum may be thinking that you will have enough to think about at Uni, without worrying about an ill horse, so soon after Kokopelli's illness. She will have a different perspective from you.
 
Kokopelli said:
I apologise in advance for another moany post but I am sat here so confused about Andy's future and need some guidance.

Background: Andy is 15, he has ulcers, liver problems (both are currently under control and causing no harm atm but still has to be carefully managed.) He has just been diagnosed with kissing spines. Before all of this he was out competing regularly ever since he was a yearling. The reason we did some investigating was because although he's always been quirky and nuts he started broncing a lot under saddle and when girthing up. Surgery is not a viable option.


Why do I feel like everyone is pushing me towards having him pts? From a somewhat depressing, pessimistic POV, probably because people who've been around horses a long time know that you are likely to be facing a miserable, soul-destroying, slow, downhill path fraught with glimmers of hope then disappointments ending in pts anyway. It is usually less painful, both to the owners and to the animal to face up to the situation sooner rather than later IMO. I can understand my mum's point of view as financially we are going to struggle to afford his frequent vet visits once the insurance runs out and I start uni. But the vet just doesn't seem to be helping. He had steroid injections into his muscle not into spine as the vet didn't think this would work but I don't understand why not. I imagine because the vet has chased many lost causes before and thinks he's seeing one. Maybe he's wrong, people can, of course, get a bit too negative, but I think this is where he's coming from. Anyway, you should ask him to explain and be straight with you.

Andy is still not right under saddle but I haven't been given any clue to fitness regime and building up. I got on him after injection just to see how he was and he was fine so decided to get physio and then long rein to build muscle up get saddle fitter then start riding again. But vet thought physio was waste of time as did the physio. Again, it sounds like the vet's already made up his mind that your horse is a lost cause, but it is your decision whether to just trust him or pursue other alternatives to try, even if they're a long shot. If you think something might work, and the vet isn't coming up with anything better than pts, it would probably be best for your own peace of mind to give it a try or you'll always wonder "what if.."

I just feel like I've been left on my own with issues I know nothing about. All I know is I have to make a decision on whether I pts or not but I don't feel like I've tried everything I just feel like I'm giving up on him if I do. He's still galloping around the field like a loon and looks happy enough. How can you put down an animal that looks so normal? Its really not that difficult once you've made your mind up. Think about it, healthy young lambs go off to slaughter and the deed is done all the time, and the vast majority of pts horses may look "normal" but are rarely 100% healthy. Animals don't know they are going to be put down.

I don't really know what I'm asking really, I just needed to vent and try to understand what is going on. I just wish someone would decide for me or he could just get better and be my lovely fun boy again :(
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Is he a candidate for turning away and seeing how he is in a year? If he is why not do it? If not, I don't know what to suggest but I hope whatever you decide to do goes smoothly for you.
 
Hi OP, I haven't seen your other posts, but from my experience of KS half the battle of getting the horse to come right rests on the rehabilitation process. You should definitely be getting guidance from your vet on how to go about it and how to achieve an effective pain management programme so that it stands fair chance of working! If you can talk to them about more guidance and support, then it's worth pushing for it. If not, I'd be asking for a referral to somewhere that can give you the advice. I'd also be tempted to find a different physio. I went through two different vet practices and three different physios before I found a combination who managed to help my girl. She never actually came right but that wasn't to do with the KS, before she went out of work her back was more or less normal again.

I can't even begin to catalogue the hours I spent researching treatment programmes, discussing different approaches with my vet, physio, farrier/trimmer, etc, while F was undergoing treatment. Not to mention arguing costs with the insurance company. So, if you just want someone to bounce ideas off or to see what we tried, feel free to pm me :)

ETA: I do agree with Flame - it can easily be a wretched, exhausting, disappointing, frustrating, and destructive process that eventually doesn't work out. BUT as glad as I am to have the battle over and done with, I still feel that the lengths I went to with my mare were worth the effort/stress/cost for the sake of knowing I tried everything I could. I also went through it alongside two people who became very close friends and whose horses were far worse off than mine. Fate being the snake it is, both of theirs have come right and are doing fine, while mine has finally accepted life as a field decoration.
 
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I think you have to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how his prognosis will effect it.
If you are going to whether who provide his long term care he is ride able not, start thinking about retirement livery or if he is ride able a loaner or what happens if he is too quirky to loan.
My daughter had an old TB when she went to uni, he was too labour and food intensive to loan and we looked at retirement livery near to uni so she could still visit but I ended up looking after him for three years which was costly and labour intensive. I not regret keeping him but your Mum is probably thinking this is a problem she could do without, but its sad that you think its all yours to decide.
I was very open with my daughter and we discussed although she was upset that one day he we would have to admit defeat and have him PTS. At the time she said she didn't want to know, but when it came to it she was there, and was glad she saw him to the end.
When you think about these things its hard and you grieve for all the things you will never do again and for you its a sort of end of one part of your life, and my daughter had the luxury of a horse that was not ill just old and I was happy to take on his care.
Try not to get upset, if you can talk to your Mum about it try to because what ever the vet says she is the one who will have to provide for his care long term.
 
If you do not plan to operate then the first question really is what else can the vet offer that has not been done so far, if there are further injections it may be that he needs to go to a specialist for them otherwise I am not sure what more a hospital can offer that has not already been done, it will use up an awful lot of any insurance money if not all of whatever is left.

I cannot see why the physio cannot help, most rehab work is physio based, I am doing daily exercises with my horse that have been recommended by my physio, I think that the usual rehab for ks is lots of work on long reins or lunging get the topline stretched and built up, in other words physiotherapy, if you want to give him a final try you need to get people on your side to help with a proper rehab plan.

Keeping him going once you are at uni may be much harder, with all his issues he may struggle to stay sound and comfortable, if he were mine I think I would have one really good try to get him right this summer if possible with the option to pts at the end of the summer if he is not really well before he goes downhill in the winter when you cannot be there to care for him.
 
My sister just had one (rising 5) PTS yesterday. Vets did everything they could until the insurance ran out (don't get me started). Fact is PTS was always on the cards and I've seen far too many put through far too much. This poor horse was even brought back into work before sis finally realised how much pain she was in. So I suspect vet is in your case trying to do the right thing.

However I do agree with poster re second opinion/referral to hospital. This is your right and if nothing else it is a positive thing to do and it will put your mind at rest. Certainly I would go down this course of action if I were you. Doesn't need to be a hospital either if you are down South where majority of vets are competent and not up here in Scotland. Sorry if I sound negative, I'm just a bit long in the tooth and honestly PTS is not the worst thing that can happen to a horse. I hope things work out for you both x x x
 
Always-Riding said:
I was in a very similar position almost 2 years ago now. Horse was always quirky and tricky but was always competing fine until he started refusing to move forward, bucking on the spot and rearing.

Surgery was not an option so I turned him away (still lunged in a pessoa to keep his muscles up), but I hate to say after 6months he was in pain. I couldn't subject him to a life on bute as he was only rising 7. I made the decision to have him pts. It was the hardest week of my life in between making the decision and it happening. I still think about him constantly as he was my "pet" and "baby" but it was the right decision.

I am so sorry you are in such a dificult situation.
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Its good to hear other stories, sorry to hear about your boy it's awful when they're young.

amymay said:
I would expectbthem to review his history. They may agree with your vet, they may not. But they will have the facillities to review him thoroughly. And may recommend an mri
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Will ring vet tomorrow and discuss this, ideally I'd like for him to do this because at least I'll feel like I'm not just throwing in the towel and I can have him thoroughly looked at.

TandD said:
how is he not right? still broncing? not cantering? etc...
when were injections done? and when did you sit on him again? have you ridden since then? why was physio waste of time?
sorry about questions, but they help
there is no real 'fitness regime' for ks, it depends on how the horse is etc etc.

my vet sort of 'dropped' me when we were diagnosed with ks... but once the injections are in what else can they do? is there anyone near by who you can talk to about ks? or someone near you who has a horse with ks? just to have back up etc. unfortunatly we went into rehab completely blind and just guessed our way though, took longer but we are *there* now!

what other options do you think you missed? have you got any ideas of what you want to try?

your last paragraph describes how i felt perfectly. i didnt want to make any decicion...but ultimatly i had to and i look back now thinking that it was good that i chose what happened to my horse! my boy is not the same horse he was but i still love him and i think he loves me still!
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Questions are good :) he had the injection about a month ago and was ridden a week after in walk, trot and canter (in the arena as previous to injections he had me off and almost lost him hacking) I have sat on him a couple of times since just for a walk for n longer than 15mins and planned to build up. In walk and trot there's a bit of tail swishing and teeth chomping. Occasionally he'll violently throw his head as if he's about to bronc but doesn't. Every now and then he'll get his back up but nothing more. In canter he threw his head up, struggled to balance and made lots of noises. I carried on for a bit to see if he'd get through it but go worse so did a bit more trot then cooled off and put him away.

Physio just said I'm wasting my time and said there was nothing wrong with him despite the fact he hardly touched him. I want to get a different person out but this one was highly recommended by trusted friends and a vet.

I have a 'friend' whose horse just had the op and wa son boxrest for 25 weeks. She thinks every horse should have the op and says I'm cruel for considering pts. Sadly no one else to talk to.

I have no idea about what I think I've missed, but I just feel like he's had the KS for a long time and he's all of a sudden kicking up a fuss now it just doesn't add up. Surely something else is causing the pain. My guess is ulcers but after treatment no improvement. Going to talk to vet tomorrow about having him re-scoped.

ester said:
I think you need as much info out of current vet before taking him elsewhere as there is no point in repeating tests etc especially depending on how healthy the insurance budget is.
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Just spoke to mum about insurance, we are basically covered for a further 6 months but after this they will no longer cover any back related issues. So have to do what we can for 6 months.

Pearlsasinger said:
If you have insurance atm, you are not really on a budget yet though. I agree that you need to ask your vet the questions that you want to know the answers to and insist that he answers them to the best of his knowledge, there may be some that he can't answer.
If you feel that the horse has a good quality of life, there may well be merit in turning him away and postponing any final decision for twelve months. Dr Green and a lack of intervention can sometimes be the best thing for a horse. If your Mum would have been prepared to help you keep him, if he were sound, grass livery/retirement livery might help to persuade her to give him a bit longer.
Your mum may be thinking that you will have enough to think about at Uni, without worrying about an ill horse, so soon after Kokopelli's illness. She will have a different perspective from you.
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I'm moving to a cheaper yard at the end of the month where he can be turned out 24/7 on really decent grass. I'm hoping this will make a huge difference and will really help him through winter. (May have to bring him in at night during winter.) I think you're right regarding uni, my mum is already worried because I decided to stay at home to stay with the horses rather than move away. She thinks its all about Andy but its also because I don't want to quit my job but can see why she would be worried about how it may effect work.
 
Turn away for a year has been the saving grace for a couple of horses I know. Best wishes for whatever you decide to do.
 
If it was me I think I would write down any questions I needed answering and take them to the vet. If u still feel unhappy afterwards and that your vet is not being 100% supportive then I would ask to be referred to a different vet for a second opinion.

Sometimes a vet/physio/farrier etc knowing the horse is not always good thing IMO as I feel they can become complacent and a fresh set of eyes is sometimes what is needed.

I do kind of agree with a few people tho that if surgery is not an option then you may be fighting a loosing battle :( however you need to investigate every single route so that you know for your own peace of mind that if the worst comes to the worst you have tried everything. At the moment you still have too many unanswered questions.
 
Flame_ said:
Is he a candidate for turning away and seeing how he is in a year? If he is why not do it? If not, I don't know what to suggest but I hope whatever you decide to do goes smoothly for you.
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I think so, it's something I'm trying to work out with my mum. I'm moving to a cheaper yard soon so will hopefully sway my mum. I'm hoping 24/7 turnout will do him the world of good.

wyrdsister said:
Hi OP, I haven't seen your other posts, but from my experience of KS half the battle of getting the horse to come right rests on the rehabilitation process. You should definitely be getting guidance from your vet on how to go about it and how to achieve an effective pain management programme so that it stands fair chance of working! If you can talk to them about more guidance and support, then it's worth pushing for it. If not, I'd be asking for a referral to somewhere that can give you the advice. I'd also be tempted to find a different physio. I went through two different vet practices and three different physios before I found a combination who managed to help my girl. She never actually came right but that wasn't to do with the KS, before she went out of work her back was more or less normal again.

I can't even begin to catalogue the hours I spent researching treatment programmes, discussing different approaches with my vet, physio, farrier/trimmer, etc, while F was undergoing treatment. Not to mention arguing costs with the insurance company. So, if you just want someone to bounce ideas off or to see what we tried, feel free to pm me :)

ETA: I do agree with Flame - it can easily be a wretched, exhausting, disappointing, frustrating, and destructive process that eventually doesn't work out. BUT as glad as I am to have the battle over and done with, I still feel that the lengths I went to with my mare were worth the effort/stress/cost for the sake of knowing I tried everything I could. I also went through it alongside two people who became very close friends and whose horses were far worse off than mine. Fate being the snake it is, both of theirs have come right and are doing fine, while mine has finally accepted life as a field decoration.
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I will definitely make sure vet doesn't leave me in the dark after tomorrow. I have a vet from a different practice coming to work on friday and I'm going to chat with him about it all. A fresh pair of eyes may make a huge difference. I really want to be able to feel like I've done everything I can but atm I just don't which is probably making me feel worse about the whole situation.

honetpot said:
I think you have to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how his prognosis will effect it.
If you are going to whether who provide his long term care he is ride able not, start thinking about retirement livery or if he is ride able a loaner or what happens if he is too quirky to loan.
My daughter had an old TB when she went to uni, he was too labour and food intensive to loan and we looked at retirement livery near to uni so she could still visit but I ended up looking after him for three years which was costly and labour intensive. I not regret keeping him but your Mum is probably thinking this is a problem she could do without, but its sad that you think its all yours to decide.
I was very open with my daughter and we discussed although she was upset that one day he we would have to admit defeat and have him PTS. At the time she said she didn't want to know, but when it came to it she was there, and was glad she saw him to the end.
When you think about these things its hard and you grieve for all the things you will never do again and for you its a sort of end of one part of your life, and my daughter had the luxury of a horse that was not ill just old and I was happy to take on his care.
Try not to get upset, if you can talk to your Mum about it try to because what ever the vet says she is the one who will have to provide for his care long term.
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Thank you for showing me a different perspective. I would never loan him again if he did come right as most of these issues have come about from being on loan last summer and loosing a huge amount of weight. I'm going to have a look at local retirement liveries but wonder whether If I do retire him if I would just happily have him with me rather than someone else.

be positive said:
If you do not plan to operate then the first question really is what else can the vet offer that has not been done so far, if there are further injections it may be that he needs to go to a specialist for them otherwise I am not sure what more a hospital can offer that has not already been done, it will use up an awful lot of any insurance money if not all of whatever is left.

I cannot see why the physio cannot help, most rehab work is physio based, I am doing daily exercises with my horse that have been recommended by my physio, I think that the usual rehab for ks is lots of work on long reins or lunging get the topline stretched and built up, in other words physiotherapy, if you want to give him a final try you need to get people on your side to help with a proper rehab plan.

Keeping him going once you are at uni may be much harder, with all his issues he may struggle to stay sound and comfortable, if he were mine I think I would have one really good try to get him right this summer if possible with the option to pts at the end of the summer if he is not really well before he goes downhill in the winter when you cannot be there to care for him.
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I've already decided that whatever happens he's having the summer to enjoy himself and if we pts it will be when the weather turns. I'm going to look into other physios, I'm sure not all of them think he's a waste of time.

scarymare said:
My sister just had one (rising 5) PTS yesterday. Vets did everything they could until the insurance ran out (don't get me started). Fact is PTS was always on the cards and I've seen far too many put through far too much. This poor horse was even brought back into work before sis finally realised how much pain she was in. So I suspect vet is in your case trying to do the right thing.

However I do agree with poster re second opinion/referral to hospital. This is your right and if nothing else it is a positive thing to do and it will put your mind at rest. Certainly I would go down this course of action if I were you. Doesn't need to be a hospital either if you are down South where majority of vets are competent and not up here in Scotland. Sorry if I sound negative, I'm just a bit long in the tooth and honestly PTS is not the worst thing that can happen to a horse. I hope things work out for you both x x x
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Thank you for your reply, sorry to hear of your sisters horse. :( We are incredibly lucky here that there are so many very good vets at our disposal and I think I will make the most of it. I'm going to speak to my vet tomorrow and a different one on Thursday and hopefully get him into the hospital to do as many investigations as I can.
 
teabiscuit said:
Turn away for a year has been the saving grace for a couple of horses I know. Best wishes for whatever you decide to do.
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Same as I few I know, I just don't want to turn away if he still hurting even out in the field. Will have to make sure he is field sound before exploring this route.

Kelly1982 said:
If it was me I think I would write down any questions I needed answering and take them to the vet. If u still feel unhappy afterwards and that your vet is not being 100% supportive then I would ask to be referred to a different vet for a second opinion.

Sometimes a vet/physio/farrier etc knowing the horse is not always good thing IMO as I feel they can become complacent and a fresh set of eyes is sometimes what is needed.

I do kind of agree with a few people tho that if surgery is not an option then you may be fighting a loosing battle :( however you need to investigate every single route so that you know for your own peace of mind that if the worst comes to the worst you have tried everything. At the moment you still have too many unanswered questions.
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Speaking to a diff vet on thursday and mine tomorrow, have wrote down everything I need to ask. Will post a list on here in a bit if people think I'm missing anything feel free to add.
 
Kokopelli said:
Questions are good :) he had the injection about a month ago and was ridden a week after in walk, trot and canter (in the arena as previous to injections he had me off and almost lost him hacking) I have sat on him a couple of times since just for a walk for n longer than 15mins and planned to build up. In walk and trot there's a bit of tail swishing and teeth chomping. Occasionally he'll violently throw his head as if he's about to bronc but doesn't. Every now and then he'll get his back up but nothing more. In canter he threw his head up, struggled to balance and made lots of noises. I carried on for a bit to see if he'd get through it but go worse so did a bit more trot then cooled off and put him away.

Physio just said I'm wasting my time and said there was nothing wrong with him despite the fact he hardly touched him. I want to get a different person out but this one was highly recommended by trusted friends and a vet.

I have a 'friend' whose horse just had the op and wa son boxrest for 25 weeks. She thinks every horse should have the op and says I'm cruel for considering pts. Sadly no one else to talk to.

I have no idea about what I think I've missed, but I just feel like he's had the KS for a long time and he's all of a sudden kicking up a fuss now it just doesn't add up. Surely something else is causing the pain. My guess is ulcers but after treatment no improvement. Going to talk to vet tomorrow about having him re-scoped.
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that is incredibly quick to get back on! i stopped riding july, diagnosed august, started rehab november, got back on 1st febuary, cantered middle of march, first test since diagnosed in april...... (2011/12)

it sounds like you need to do long and low work, getting stretch across the back... if you can give time off....time is 'free' and is the best medicine possible, plus horse can stretch naturally eatting.

yes my boy was most likely born with ks....it only showed up as we let some one loan him who rode him incorrectly, pushing him onto the forehand and pushing his spinal processes together... this aggrevated his ks, but didnt cause it!

do trust your gut instinct...... wish i had litstened to mine more - would have saved alot of time and problems!
 
Ah, ok, you're on livery and mum's footing the bill. Very different from having your own land and being able to support yor field ornaments.

Get a second opinion. If the worse comes to the worst, how big is the horse? How old? Could it be a candidate for the blood bank?

Sorry, haven't read all the threads.
 
TandD said:
that is incredibly quick to get back on! i stopped riding july, diagnosed august, started rehab november, got back on 1st febuary, cantered middle of march, first test since diagnosed in april...... (2011/12)

it sounds like you need to do long and low work, getting stretch across the back... if you can give time off....time is 'free' and is the best medicine possible, plus horse can stretch naturally eatting.

yes my boy was most likely born with ks....it only showed up as we let some one loan him who rode him incorrectly, pushing him onto the forehand and pushing his spinal processes together... this aggrevated his ks, but didnt cause it!

do trust your gut instinct...... wish i had litstened to mine more - would have saved alot of time and problems!
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I was told the steroid injection should work relatively quickly if it was going to work. Before he was diagnosed he had a steroid injection alongside bute to help with back pain before we investigated ks as we were so sure it was muscular. This made a huge difference but it wore off quickly and I felt him gradually getting more uncomfortable which is when he went for xrays.

I have no idea how long he's had it but one has already fused so I imagine a fair amount of time, which is why I don't understand why he's only reacting now?

Slightly Foxed said:
Ah, ok, you're on livery and mum's footing the bill. Very different from having your own land and being able to support yor field ornaments.

Get a second opinion. If the worse comes to the worst, how big is the horse? How old? Could it be a candidate for the blood bank?

Sorry, haven't read all the threads.
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He's 15hh at a push so would be suitable for bloodbank, and he's 15. I wish I had my own land as it would be a lot simpler then.
 
so sorry to hear of all these problems:(

all I can add is that I do know there is a new procedure for KS - something to do with snipping(?) the ligaments along the spine which let the processes ease apart a little. Can be done standing (I think vet said) which makes it easier on horse as well as cheaper :). Several little tiny cuts instead of one big one so quicker recovery too.

Worth asking, if you decide to get a hospital referral.

<<hugs>>
 
A referral will send you to someone who can explain things really well and who is the top of their game and will give you realistic management protocols and also any problems etc.
 
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