Kissing Spine op at Cotts Equine (update)

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welsh_mare

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For those that didn't read my first post a quick update, Tilly's behaviour changed, refusing to go forward when ridden and rearing and throwing herself into things, walls, hedges, concrete posts :o whilst I was riding her.
Vet came out, could find no problems, she was given a thorough check over, vet was with us for around 2 hours, we put Tilly on Regumate as she was in season and arranged to take her into to scan ovaries.
Scan showed nothing, so vet decided to x-ray spine, and there it was Kissing Spine :(

Tilly was operated on the following day with the new surgery for KS that Cotts have been using, 5 days post op, no change in the x-ray of her spine and when they scanned her back the muscle to the right was atrophied (sp) think that's the right word!, anyway the muscle on the right was a lot smaller than the left muscle :(

Now for the update :) took Tilly back yesterday 7 weeks post op, vet and physio could both see a difference with her walking in hand :) she had a bit of work with the physio then went for her x-ray, the vet described the x-ray as "pretty spectacular" he then took us through to see it, if you didn't know Tilly's history you would never say she had KS, it was amazing the areas where they were touching have opened up, honestly it was better than I could have hoped for :)
Then Tilly was scanned, the muscle on the left was the same size, the muscle on the right has enlarged and is the same as the left :) . Best case scenario, well we got it, we could not have hoped for better results :) . I have to say its the x-ray that has blown me away!, I never thought we could open the spaces (or lack of them 7 weeks ago!) so much.

So after all that waffle I am one extremely happy bunny :) The vets are very happy :) the results we have in 7 weeks is amazing, and I'm so pleased we went ahead with this new operation.

The plan now for Tilly is to carry on with the Pessoa for another 4 weeks as she is still a bit tight over her loins on the right hand side, and not always happy to go forward on the lunge, so have a few more exercises from physio for her, and physio said if I felt she was ready I don't have to wait the 4 weeks before I get on :) going to phone saddle fitter tomorrow and arrange a visit so when I do get on everything will be ready, i am so excited :)

Thank-you for reading my essay :o I would offer rose wine but it seems to have gone!, must be the heat, it's evaporated :o
 
fantastic - how are you doing with her now??

mine has had two sets of steroid injections (feb and yesterday!) and xrays show more bone laid down - have discussed with svend kold about operating (she has 8 impinging ) but she could not cope with 3 months box rest,

So have sent email with xrays to cotts and they have said she is a candidate for surgery so she goes in 4 weeks and speaking to them has made me feel happier about the surgery and hopeful about outcome.

So anyone with experiences would be very grateful!!! (and just realised it a 5 hr drive!!! )
 
That is brilliant news. The Cotts Equine procedure is far less invasive than the traditional op. Fingers crossed you will soon be riding her.

Good luck with your horse too, Kezimac.
 
It involves making small incisions between the spinal processes and cutting the ligament inbetween. This allows the space between impinging spine to open up. The traditional treatment is to open up the whole back down the senter line and remove every other spine. So you actually have whole spaces left inbetween. I will try to find my xrays and post before and after.

Here: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=522006
 
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Flibble said:
Thank you my boy is having the space between two bones redefine by removing small amounts of bone. Another new op vet has done about 25 cases like this.
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My boy is having same done beginning Nov only 4 touching not 2, can anyone tell me roughly how long he will be on box rest? He struggles with 24 hrs in :( (sorry to butt in on post!)
 
chestnutmarelover said:
My boy is having same done beginning Nov only 4 touching not 2, can anyone tell me roughly how long he will be on box rest? He struggles with 24 hrs in :( (sorry to butt in on post!)
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My boy had 5 removed and was only on strict box rest 2 weeks (8 days of which were in the hospital.) Then a further 2 weeks of box rest with walking in hand twice daily. After that he was turned out for 2 months in a small paddock.
 
Whereas my vet said if went traditional route of removing bone 3 months box rest which is major reason I going for cotts surgery as mine struggles with a week! Vet is Svend kold. Asked him if she could be in field shelter with small paddock and said no!
 
There does seem to be a huge difference in aftercare. My horse went to Rossdales. Mind you, it now seems that the root problem of his girthiness was not the kissing spines. Only wish I could find out what it is!
 
chestnutmarelover said:
My boy is having same done beginning Nov only 4 touching not 2, can anyone tell me roughly how long he will be on box rest? He struggles with 24 hrs in :( (sorry to butt in on post!)
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Hiya I have been told 4 weeks box rest then 6 field rest. His Op is at 4.30 so I will update maybe do a separate thread I am hoping to bring him home Monday. I have the huge advantage that mine is pretty laid back in his stable.

I think the box rest involves walking in hand.

Where are you having yours done maybe we should buddy up and share support.

And you arent buttng in its very important.
 
Wagtail said:
There does seem to be a huge difference in aftercare. My horse went to Rossdales. Mind you, it now seems that the root problem of his girthiness was not the kissing spines. Only wish I could find out what it is!
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wagtail - you must be gutted after going though all that and still not right....

some reading you might be interested in about girth pain

http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/about1223.html&highlight=imbalance+vertebrae

http://www.spinalvet.com.au/girth-pain.html
 
Flibble said:
Hiya I have been told 4 weeks box rest then 6 field rest. His Op is at 4.30 so I will update maybe do a separate thread I am hoping to bring him home Monday. I have the huge advantage that mine is pretty laid back in his stable.

I think the box rest involves walking in hand.

Where are you having yours done maybe we should buddy up and share support.

And you arent buttng in its very important.
Click to expand...

Flibble - good idea :) Hes going to Breadstone Clinic in Gloucester, 6th Nov. Best of luck for your boy, PM me how it goes
 
Hi Svend Kold operated on mine, was only 6wks box rest so am surprised he told you 3mths, I seem to remember it was 6wks walking in hand then 6wks ground work in the school, I would have been back on at week 12 but he managed to jar himself on a pole so I got back on at week 14.

Because he wasn't great on box rest, at 51/2 weeks he went out in a small 15m sq paddock 24/7 which worked really well for him but I did time the op for March so it was coming in to Summer.

Just to say Svend did a fabulous job on my horse, it is now 6yrs ago and he is still being ridden 5days a week and has started jumping and is capable of a good novice dressage test, he was recommended PTS as his behaviour was so dangerous, so a very good outcome for us for a horse that couldn't even walk properly. I am sure it is because we were so careful with the rehab to build correct muscle slowly but surely, but he is now incredibly strong and I hope to still be riding him for the next 15yrs at least, he will always be a little spooky but he tries so hard to handle it and is still an absolute pleasure to be around, we are delighted to still have him, he has come a very long way!

Good luck, it is a tough decision but I am so so glad I went ahead with it.
 
Hi,

My horse had an interspinous desmotomy 3 weeks ago, he had 1 weeks box rest with 45 mins walking daily from the 2nd day of surgery, then turned out in a small paddock. He then increased his work after 10 days to 30 mins walk and 10 mins trot. Now he has had his stitches out he is in the pessoa doing 30 mins walk and 10 trot. Vet has told me i can get on his back in another 4 weeks but i am going to take me time and really muscle him up and have physio. I am so pleased with his progress. Good luck to your horse x
 
It's great to hear from someone who has had the interspinous operation - mine is booked in for nov 27th really hoping it will make a huge difference to her. Steroids haven't helped much.
 
Flibble said:
Wow post op exercise seems to vary a lot
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the interspinous operation only cuts the ligament in between each process to release it - it doesnt remove any bone and its doen standing with only sedation - so its less invasive - hence less recovery time. I have chosen not to go down the traditional route of general anaethstic and removal of bone with mine - even though Svend is my vet - but I am going for the less invasive route as my girl wont do box rest, and i feel it has just as much chance of helping her.
 
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