I'm absolutely devastated!

I didn't ask to be honest
crazy.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I didn't ask to be honest
crazy.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, so now you can start to think about some questions that you'd like some more answers to. It must have all been a bit of a shock at the time.

1. What chances of a full recovery do they give her?;
2. Would they have recommended the surgery if she wasn't insured?;
3. What prognosis for returning to competative career?
4. Can the surgery be done under sedeation (I know of a horse that was), if not, why not?
5. Is there any urgency to do the surgery - is time a factor?
6. What would happen if the horse were turned away for 6 months and then re-evaluated?

These are just some off the top of my head......
 
Thanks AmyMay... some of these have already been answered by him
smile.gif


He did not suggest the surgery for now, but in 6 weeks time... however, after careful consideration I contacted him on the way home and asked whether it would be worthwhile doing it sooner rather than later. My insurance money is running out, therefore it is a bit of an issue.

I cannot give her 6 months in a field... if it needed operating on, I would be past the 12 months period of the insurance therefore would not be covered. Plus, being turned away would further aggrevate the ligament more than anything else.

He seemed positive about her returning to a competitive career... he knows this is what I bought her for and this is what she is intended to do
smile.gif


But the other questions will definietly be asked...
 
There was a horse on my old yard who was de-nerved, not sure if he had what your mare has, and as far as I am aware he made a full recovery. His owner sold him, not cos of injury, but because she wanted to event and couldn't keep two horses, he was more dressage than her other horse. He was being sold before he had op, think it was a sales vetting that brought to light his problem. Last time I heard he was doing really well. Unfortunately have moved off this yard so not heard how he is recently. Sorry this is long but hopefully shows a more postive side. If would help could try and find out what was wrong with him.
 
I am so sorry to hear this
frown.gif


This is exactly why I didnt go dsown the same route with Spider we just decided to operate.

Really hope it goes well xxxxxxxxxxx
 
Firstly, huge hugs. Having a horse with such an unfortunate run of bad luck is always devastating and never easy and it does sound, from reading your posts, that Grace has had a harder time than most.

BUT, I do think you need to look at a few positives. For a start, Grace is otherwise healthy - she certainly looks a picture of health and appears to have made an excellent recovery from her colic op. She also looks happy in herself and from what you've said, while she obviously feels some discomfort, she is not in pain, not needing to be buted up to the eyeballs and most importantly, since first being diagnosed SHE HAS SHOWN AN IMPROVEMENT. Yes it may not be as much as you had hoped but it is better than nothing, especially given her antics under saddle recently.

Secondly I think you need to bare in mind that in reality you shouldn't expect to be in a position whereby it is as if the injury never occured within 12 months of the injury - often longer. Due to the nature of the collagen fibres that make tendons and ligaments, healing is slow. With these things you just have to be very patient I'm afraid and just take comfort in each small improvement.

At the end of the day she is not written off and from what you've said stands a very good chance of making a full recovery, so try and remember this when you feel down. There are many people with horses in much worse conditions so try and be greatful that you have made the progress and have the prognosis you have.

Chin up
 
Sorry to hear that - and for the run of bad luck.

I'm sure she's in the best hands and that you've made the right decision though. Loads of vibes for her op. xx
 
I am really sorry to hear that things are not going as hoped. I think you have made a very hard but right decision - at least this way you will know for sure without waiting and waiting.

Good luck. I will be thinking of you BOTH and will keep everything crossed for you.

Hugs
 
QR: I would have done exactly what you have - I have played de-nerved polo ponies...not something a lot of people would condone, but that is the way of the world and the horses that I have known who have been de-nerved have achieved all of the potential they ever would IMHO.

Big hugs to you ((((hugs))))
 
So sorry to hear that things arent progressing as you'd hoped. Hoever it is really good news that the ligament fibres have now become more striated so there has been some improvement.

If it helps at all my insurance has completely run out but my vets are still insisting that the neurectomy is the way forward. Neither have they mentioned that local anaesthesia is at all possible despite my concerns regarding the GA.

My lovely vet drew some diagrams of what would happen during surgery but its not possible to put them on here sadly.

Sending you lots of love and hugs at this crappy time for you x
 
Don't be too upset, better to make this decision now rather than after insurance has run out.

For your information, and others who have questioned turning away etc here is the advise my vets gave me about PSD.

Rest alone - 30% chance of recovery
Shockwave plus rest and controlled return to work - 50% chance of recover
Neurectomy - 80 % chance of recovery (and the remaining 20% you would question correct initial diagnosis)

The neurectomy for PSD is very different to say the old fashioned neurectomy for navicular. It is a small nerve branch cut that only effects that specific area of the hock, the horse can still feel its leg and foot!

For what its worth I think you have made the right decision to do this before your insurance has run out.

What you could also consider is sending her away for her recovery period to somewhere with a horsewalker so that you don't have the trauma of re-doing all the walk work.
 
Oh yes as B&J has just pointed out, rest alone can produce a cure in a few cases. Sue Dyson has written papers on it, might be worth googling her. As I recall she was the one of the 1st vets to identify PSD and research its treatment.
 
Fingers crossed soooooo tightly for you and Grace
frown.gif
Willing her to get better ASAP. Going through similar to you at the moment although we still have no diagnosis! just horse that is definitely lame and has been so for 5 weeks
blush.gif
Really hope you get some better news soon
smile.gif
 
Thank you to everyone...
Especially Ben_and_Jerrys for those statistics
smile.gif
That has really made me feel slightly better as we already have an improvement from shockwave and rest, so surely she stands a better chance now with the neurectomy thanks to the already improved ligament
grin.gif
At least that is now how I am consoling myself!

I don't really think I had any option other than what I have chosen... realistically, in my heart of hearts I know she would still not have been sound at the end of the 6 weeks the vet offered to me and this would have been the same question then just almost two months later!
 
Aw I hope so much that it all works out for you....

I think its important to remember that when she had the last GA she was collicking... she wont have been a happy healthy pony and her heart rate and breathing will have been poor. This time she will be going into surgery with a normal h/rate and b/rate and generally alot healthier. I dont think you should worry too much, the vets are very experienced with GAs and if he thought it would be a problem he would have said that it would be better to carry on with the shockwave therapy.

so DONT WORRY and she will be fine! Best of luck (and also ry and have a nice birthday!)

Bx
 
Huge hugs Becki! As i'm sure you are aware you have been given some excellent advice and some good questions to ask your vet. As had been said already, take heart in the fact that she is so well in herself.
 
Aw Becki what a horrible day
frown.gif
Pleased that Grace has made an improvement, but think that you have done the right thing with progressing with the surgery sooner rather than later. Unfortuantely in this life we don't have a crystal ball, but I know from your posts that you always put your horses first and this time is no different. You've had some very good advice given already re this, I'm afraid all I can offer is lots and lots of vibes and rest assured that you will have lots of support from your friends on here. It does mean a lot as I was devastated when Pidge was diagnosed with hock spavin last year, but I had some wonderful advice and support from friends on here, plus the odd kick up the bum when I really hit rock bottom. Chin up honey xxx
 
My understanding of the operation performed in the case of PSD is that it's the fasciotomy as well as the neurectomy which is important.

In cases of PSD often the suspensory ligament does not return to it's original size even when healed and therefore puts pressure on the fascia surrounding it. This can still cause some discomfort and therefore a subtle lameness.

The operation not only de-nerves the area but also cuts the fascia thus releasing the pressure and hopefully the pain.

There is a small occurance in some cases of the nerve regenerating after a period of time but most vets seem to feel the surgery gives a fair chance of returning to competitive fitness.

I hope all goes well for you and Grace.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top