I'm absolutely devastated!

huge hugs becki, I really feel for you, I remember all too clearly this worry with Flash not too many months ago. Lots of healing vibes coming Grace's way, I hope she makes a quick recovery!
 
Hi Becki
I've replied to your post in the vet forum - but I just wanted to add that I know exactly how you feel - I've had to put H through two separate operations for her annular ligaments - just when she's coming right something goes wrong - last year it was make or break time for her and I had to decide whether to have her pts or have the op and give her one last chance - I'm so pleased that I gave her that chance as she's so happy and coming sounder with time and hard work - I've got everything crossed for you that it is successful - you're in good hands.
If you need a chat you know where I am
Kate xxx
 
What a shame.

I think you're wise to consider the insurance. It's a hard one-I personally would operate as absolute last resort but only because I've seen it go wrong. In the vast majority of cases it's perfectly routine and safe.

When Boss did his annular at an event he was scanned after 12 weeks and they said it was either operate or carry on with controlled exercise. I chose no operation as I couldnt bear the thought of him not getting up. He did a few more events but was never quite the same and he's now retired from competition but at least he's alive and happy.
 
Thank you everyone, and I am sorry I have not replied to each and every post but I am still feeling a bit raw and a few glasses of wine are helping ever so slightly!

I am terrified of her not getting up from the table, but I am also terrified of never being able to ride her again! Does that make sense? She is not a horse who hacks out happily, I could never let her go to someone else as I would never trust them not to push her too much for the ligament...
 
Sorry about Grace- this is the other side of horse ownership, not just the competing and having fun.
I would probably not go for the invasive option and give her a bit more time, at the end of the day riding is your hobby and Grace is your friend and you should do what you think is right for her. All the best

Kate
 
This is what they do
op.jpg
 
DieselDog... thank you so much for that!!!

That is the type of thing I have been hunting the internet for over the past four hours! That is exactly what Peter said to me, in 4 weeks you will be back on her where you are right now!

Thank you again... I really appreciate you taking the time to scan these notes and put them on here!
 
PSD in the back legs doesn't cure with rest, every single vet agrees on that.

Shockwave has a 40% chance of working and personally it was never a route I was going to take as that 40% is only if it is a very fresh injury.

The operation is a fasciotomy and neurectomy. Imagine a horses leg and cut it thru like a tree trunk and look down on top of it. The cannon bone and splint bones form a 3 sided box with the suspensory ligament inside it. The fourth side of the box is the tough fibourous tissue called the fascia. When the ligament is damaged it swells inside the 'box' and causes a lot of pain. To relieve the swelling and to let the ligament heal the fascia is split.

However, even though the horse is never really lame it is still really painful, so they de nerve the horse but the nerve only supplies that part of the leg and it is only on the outside of the leg. To enable the ligament to heal properly the horse needs to work it with the full range of movement and by de nerving this allows the horse to do it.

I was quoted by Willesley the success rate as being 90% which is probably a tad high, and he had mainly been doing it on Advanced Eventers and Grand Prix Dressage horses and that 90% went back to full work.
 
Thanks... got a bit of a bad head this morning from drinking too much wine, but also still feel really stressed out too
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I don't think I have felt 'normal' since this whole Grace saga started in November. Perhaps once the operation has been done and she comes up sound after four weeks I can finally find some return to what I used to be like!

This has sort of taken over my life for the past four months... the walking in hand, then the riding, not being able to take a break because every morning and every night I have to be up there for her!
 
just got to add my hopes that it ALL WILL get better.............

i know from experince what it's like to have a 'yo yo' ride with horse's injury....

I know it's no good at mo, but time is a great healer and from all your writing you are doing a grand job for Grace and she couldn't be in better hands....
 
I think you are wise to have the op done now; you have obviously considered it from every angle and I would be doing exactly the same thing. Grace is lucky girl to have someone so dedicated to her welfare.

Hope you are feeling a bit brighter this morning
smile.gif
 
Thank you Kick_on and lzt... I do feel that I am making the right decision, it is just a very difficult one to make on my own
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My vet has given me all the advice he possibly can, but it comes down to me at the end of the day.
 
Looks like you have made the right decision from all that others have posted, hope it goes well for Grace.

Like H's mum, I am also facing a similar decision with my mare and her annular ligament - by the end of the insurance claim in November, my vet and I need to decide if she has the surgery before the money runs out! Insurance can't live without it, but I do so hate the way it pressures us into fast decisions.
 
Oh god just found this post
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I really thought things were gonna go well with the scan. Pic yourself up, dust yourself off and think ahead now. Youve made the right decision based on all the facts. She will be fine after the GA if she can cope with a GA whilst colicing then she will be fine this time - shes a strong lady - you know that
wink.gif


Ill keep everything x'd for ya my luv!!
 
So sorry on hear the news, but feel you have made the right decision for Grace and for your sanity! Was thinking about your scan yesterday but did not get on line. Anyway, good luck with it all and hugs and positive vibes for you and Grace

Sara
xx
 
Thank you again to everyone...

I sent an email to Leahurst last night just asking for some further information regarding the general she had there in December. I have just received one back from the anaesthetist to say she was listed as 'typical' for a horse suffering from colic and she has telephoned Peter at Hirds and given them all of the information from the file!

I am very touched someone has gone to that effort...
 
hi beckie sorry to hear this .my horse had this surgery on both hinds approx 3 years ago .andy bathe at newmarket did it as well as having 3x shockwave therapies. it has been a success although i decided not to jump and she is not a competition horse they were very pleased with her progress. i spoke to him at length before agreeing to surgery and like you was incredibly upset. my mare coped very well with boxrest and the recovery process went to plan.my stressful bit was paying and travelling back to newmarket every few weeks as we didnt have transport. all the research and stats i was given were very positive .i know its hard but i think youre doing the right thing deb
 
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