I need a reality check.

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Rosanne L

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Okay, ive posted very recently in this forum because i am starting to panic and now I need some practical advice. Essentially, i am asking if it is time to call it a day. It is a long one sorry. Horse has been lame for coming up 10 months. After 2 MRIs and CTs plus x-rays the only thing found has been swelling in the pastern, coffin and fetlock joints right fore. Has had steroid injections after the 1st MRI but lameness had worsened by time of 2 week review (initially lame on clockwise circle right fore after injections still lame clockwise but horribly lame anti clockwise still right fore) shoes came off end of sept. Has been on 1 danilon since october and looks comfortable in field but still not right (clearly on trot up) now looking stiff at the back. Before Danilon horse behaviour was becoming difficult. Nipping, barging, getting away from me on way down to the field and just been generally difficult to handle. This all calmed down on pain relief but i am now worrying as this behaviour seems to be coming back even with the danilon. I am tempted to up the dose to two danilon a day but this is where I need the reality check. Is it time to call it a day? My vet is working with another consultant vet on this case and we have an appointment end of Feb. If you got this far, thank you and i would appreciate your thoughts.
 
I don’t think there is a clear cut answer to this but certainly calling it a day wouldn’t be wrong, whatever the circumstances.

If the horse was older or had other medical issues or was clearly unhappy then I would definitely pts.

If the horse was younger, with good confo, no other history and pain could be managed then I’d be inclined to keep resting until autumn to see if the inflammation settles (I’d probably also do another round of injections), at which point I’d pts if still lame.

(But that’s just my position which isn’t necessarily right or what you should do!)
 
I am not sure how anyone on a forum known for PTS who hasn't seen your horse can make any judgement. The person I would be asking is the vet who has the scans, x rays etc and is able to make a judgement based on fact.
Personally I would get the vet's view at the end of Feb and I would give the horse some time then when the weather changes and he can be turned away, allowed to relax and a valid judgement can be made concerning his well being.
 
Rosanne L said:
Okay, ive posted very recently in this forum because i am starting to panic and now I need some practical advice. Essentially, i am asking if it is time to call it a day. It is a long one sorry. Horse has been lame for coming up 10 months. After 2 MRIs and CTs plus x-rays the only thing found has been swelling in the pastern, coffin and fetlock joints right fore. Has had steroid injections after the 1st MRI but lameness had worsened by time of 2 week review (initially lame on clockwise circle right fore after injections still lame clockwise but horribly lame anti clockwise still right fore) shoes came off end of sept. Has been on 1 danilon since october and looks comfortable in field but still not right (clearly on trot up) now looking stiff at the back. Before Danilon horse behaviour was becoming difficult. Nipping, barging, getting away from me on way down to the field and just been generally difficult to handle. This all calmed down on pain relief but i am now worrying as this behaviour seems to be coming back even with the danilon. I am tempted to up the dose to two danilon a day but this is where I need the reality check. Is it time to call it a day? My vet is working with another consultant vet on this case and we have an appointment end of Feb. If you got this far, thank you and i would appreciate your thoughts.
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Ten months in pain and not field sound on analgesia pts would not unreasonable in the slightest
 
You haven’t mentioned scoping for ulcers?

Can you push the next vet check forward and put them on the spot re where you are at. 10 months of an uncomfortable horse is far too long.

It’s a nightmare managing a horse with what might be multiple issues, none of which might be terminal themselves, but which altogether add up to a very unhappy horse.

Danilon can aggravate ulcers.
 
That's a heartbreaking situation, and I'm sorry you're going through this. From your description, the reality check is this: the pain is winning.

The difficult behavior returning while still on Danilon is a huge red flag. It means his discomfort is now breaking through even with pain relief. Upping the dose just masks the problem a bit longer; it doesn't fix the underlying, undiagnosed cause that's making him miserable.

Your end-of-February appointment feels too far away given this decline. I'd call your vet now, today, and tell them the pain management is failing and his behavior has sharply worsened. They need to know this urgency. The kindest thing may be to have a very honest conversation with them about whether there are any real, viable options left for a quality life, or if you are now just managing an inevitable decline. You've done absolutely everything for him. Thinking of you.
 
Tiddlypom said:
You haven’t mentioned scoping for ulcers?

Can you push the next vet check forward and put them on the spot re where you are at. 10 months of an uncomfortable horse is far too long.

It’s a nightmare managing a horse with what might be multiple issues, none of which might be terminal themselves, but which altogether add up to a very unhappy horse.

Danilon can aggravate ulcers.
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This. Mine who is on Danilon is now showing what I feel is signs of hind gut ulcers. His Danilon is helping with his arthritis but it's also causing upset with his gut which in turn is making him look and feel a bit miserable.
 
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