Kevin off to the vets

[Sukistokes2]

Kevin is off to the vets tomorrow for flexion tests and maybe x rays ( depending on what the vets says)
We are going to the vets so that we can go straight on to x rays if needed and to save call out. Kevin has seemed very stiff recently so has been left alone and not ridden. Not sure I could get the rider up after the last episode on the road
I just hoping for some sort of answer, all the current symptoms seem to suggest a hock problem. With his sensitive tummy I'm not sure he'd do well on Bute, however with a diagnosis I can make informed decisions on his future, which is secure at least. No more home hopping for this lad.

 

[Embo]

Best of luck, hope you get some answers x

 

[Cecile]

Good Luck, hope all goes well

There are other meds out there which work in the same way as bute, I had a sensitive one who went in for tests and I was given syringes which worked the same way as Bute/Danillon, it worked a treat without any side effects/squits (Sorry the brand/name escapes me)

 

[SEL]

Hope you get an answer. I know how frustrating it is when all you want to do is make them well.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Good luck. If it is hock arthritis, then there are other options to oral medication. Cartrophen, which is given by intramuscular injection works well with some horses, and then there are the steroid hock injections.

 

[Merrymoles]

Good luck Kevin!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Hope you get some answers tomorrow for Kevin

 

[Sukistokes2]

Thanks all, just as long as he is happy in the field, that's all that matters really !

 

[Dave's Mam]

Good Luck Kev.

 

[Micropony]

Best of luck, hope it all goes smoothly and you are able to get to the bottom of it and come up with a plan with the vets!

 

[Sukistokes2]

Well it went pretty much how most things in my life are going, rubbish , pretty much as expected. No conclusive evidence.

Kevin stood and took all the flexing of every limb , he trotted sound on the straight and on a hard service on the lunge. He was so chilled half the vets came out to make a fuss of him.
They did the flexon tests with him , on his off side 3 uneven steps and off, absolutely nothing to write home about. On his near side he was slightly worse , taking about six to eight uneven steps. The vet was totally baffled. He said that for a horse his size, age and type his flexon tests were about right. Yes he will have some changes , probably spavin like changes, because he is cow hocked. However the vet thinks it unlikely that they would cause the issues he has been displaying. He did not think there was anywhere near enough evidence to warrant x rays. He says the behaviour displayed is dangerous and advised against road work. In his opinion Kev's hocks are not causing him the right sort of , or even right level of pain to make him bog off . He does think it's pain related as the horses temperament seems sound. I have some choices

1) Retire him.
2) Leave him for a year and see what that foes
3) Bute trial
4) look in to possible hind gut problems.

I took him home and turned him out.

I am thinking about my next move, Kev's behaviour under saddle is quite frankly dangerous and while my rider claims she isn't afraid and is willing , I'm not so sure I want to risk it. With everything else going on at the moment ( house sell fell through yesterday, I've lost my dream house and I've been made redundant) I think just holding off and thinking things through is in order. Kev is quite simply happy in the field eating. The vet said he is totally field sound/ pain free , so I can just think and work things out.
My current thinking is retirement but that could change when my life settles a bit

 

[Micropony]

Whilst it's reassuring they haven't unearthed anything terrible and untreatable, how incredibly frustrating for you! It really does sound like you have a lot on upur plate at the moment. I am sure Kevin will be very happy to hang out in his field for a while so you can deal with some of it. Big hugs x

 

[Leo Walker]

I cant remember if hes been scoped for ulcers or not? What was the upshot of the PSSM diet trial? Did you have hair tested?

Its soo frustrating when you know they arent right but dont know why

 

[ester]

Sorry you didn't get any sort of resolution. My instinct is to say give yourself a break and turn him away. My one reservation to that would be will you still have the rider about in a years time, if not maybe it would be worth doing a bute trial first just to check?

 

[Merrymoles]

I'm sorry you didn't get any resolution either.

Being an old-fashioned type, my advice would be to give him at least the winter off, sort out your other problems and see where you and Kevin both are next May.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I am so sorry to hear of everything you have on your plate, I know that feeling of being kicked whilst your down.
I think the consideration of whether you'll have a rider in a years time is a valid one, it would also appear that having the winter or longer off for both you and him would be a good thing right now. Time is a great healer, and it sounds like you could do with a bit of head space!

 

[SusieT]

Just checking - is this a specialist equine hospital? Sounds like they've seen a problem (difference in flexion), not don eany diagnostics but made assumptions and given the easy options... I presume they felt his back etc?

 

[Sukistokes2]

Just checking - is this a specialist equine hospital? Sounds like they've seen a problem (difference in flexion), not don eany diagnostics but made assumptions and given the easy options... I presume they felt his back etc?

Yes Susie, he has had his back felt, the vet is a highly qualified senior vet. Kev has also been seen by a qualified Chiropractic Vet. The problem remains that what ever it is, is intermittent. To see him trot yesterday you would have thought there was no problem. The vet was pleased with the flexon tests and did not see a huge problem with them.

This is his second examination

 

[Sukistokes2]

Sorry you didn't get any sort of resolution. My instinct is to say give yourself a break and turn him away. My one reservation to that would be will you still have the rider about in a years time, if not maybe it would be worth doing a bute trial first just to check?

My professional rider is a star and I'm pretty sure she will be happy to help whenever. Although it will be in a school from now on. I won't risk her on the road, nor in a small school!!

 

[ester]

That's ok I wasn't sure if it was pro/friend/sharer situ, so so long as you don't have to pay a retainer .

 

[Sukistokes2]

That's ok I wasn't sure if it was pro/friend/sharer situ, so so long as you don't have to pay a retainer .

No fee needed although I might have to wait for a slot

 

[Dave's Mam]

Oh Kevin!

 

[Sukistokes2]

I cant remember if hes been scoped for ulcers or not? What was the upshot of the PSSM diet trial? Did you have hair tested?

Its soo frustrating when you know they arent right but dont know why

No he hasn't been tested but I have retained his PSSM supplements as his Chiro vet said they were good for his muscular development even if he wasn't. I had thought it was only the QH and QH derivatives that could be genetically tested, I thought drafts had to have a muscle biopsy?

 

[Slightlyconfused]

No he hasn't been tested but I have retained his PSSM supplements as his Chiro vet said they were good for his muscular development even if he wasn't. I had thought it was only the QH and QH derivatives that could be genetically tested, I thought drafts had to have a muscle biopsy?

No any breed can be tail tested. Its the type two thats a muscle biopsy but i have reaf somewhere that in the usa they have delevoped either a tail test or blood test for type two but they havent been brought over here yet.


I would definatly do the type one tail test. Maybe even a five panel for the other muscle myopathies then if thats all fine just turn him away for the winter.

How are his eyes?

Or what about thermal imaging?

 

[BBP]

I've missed Kevin's back story as I'm not on here much anymore. But could he have a sacroiliac injury? Mine would have a shifting hindlimb lameness at home but kept trotting up sound, came and went to vets but never showed much on flexions. But to ride it was like he would get shocked behind the saddle and launch forwards, if I held him he would buck or rear. This might be nothing like yours, like I said I've missed the back story.

 

[SEL]

It will only cost you around £30 to test for PSSM type 1 at Animal Genetics - both my horses (drafts) have it. For such a small amount of money it's worth ruling it out. There is a blood test in the US for other myopathies which is in the 'data gathering' stage. I'm not sure whether they've got clydesdales on their list of horses with issues but I will ask.

Have his eyes been checked? Just a thought with the bolting.

 

[scats]

Has he been xrayed for kissing spines?

Vets and physio did not think one of my horses could possibly have kissing spines, as they got no response on palpation of his spine or back.
I insisted on X-rays and he had 5 touching with evidence of damaged bone where it had obviously been happening for a while.

 

[Sukistokes2]

Thanks SEL I will look in to the tail test. Is there a link to any information on it please?

Before we do anymore extensive investigations I have been advised that a Bute trial would be the first step. The vet has said that the spine X-ray is an option. At the moment with everything else going on I'm holding off and just letting him chill. He doesn't mind . I need to concentrate on the house and getting a job before I think about any more tests.

 

[OldNag]

I am sorry you are having such a rubbish time at the moment.

Turnout sounds sensible.

A few people mentioned eyes. I have known a couple where unpredictable and out of character spookiness etc started happening, and it turned out to be eyesight. If that wasn't checked, it might be worth asking?

 

[rachk89]

Has he been xrayed for kissing spines?

Vets and physio did not think one of my horses could possibly have kissing spines, as they got no response on palpation of his spine or back.
I insisted on X-rays and he had 5 touching with evidence of damaged bone where it had obviously been happening for a while.

Yeah would do that next once your life has settled again. My vet didnt want to do them either and wanted to do a lameness work up but my horses refusal to load to go to the vets messed that up, so they took xrays. Two looked close together to me but she said they weren't close enough. A consultant agreed with me though and it was kissing spine. But he didn't bolt off randomly like Kevin, but that's not to say it isn't that. My horse would go through times of seeming like he was totally fine and then other moments be dangerous.

Hope you find a diagnosis soon. I know how frustrating it is not to have one. I didn't even care what the result was with my horse as long as they found out what was wrong, was ready to be told he needs to be retired but just wanted to know why.