Kissing spines again

J

jojoebony

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My boy is going for xrays next week with suspected KS.

If the xrays confim this (a scan has already indicated this seems to be the problem) the vet intends to inject him immediately. He said this is the normal treatment now, and made no mention of the surgery.

For those of you who've had horses treated with cortisone injections. Did you see massive improvements and how long did it last before a repeat injection was required?

My boy is only 8. I am worried that the injections will eventually become less effective? Does anyone know if this is the case?
He is very sore at the moment and it seems to have come on very rapidly.

Any additional info appreciated, or links for website as I've googled but don't seem to be coming up with much.

J
 
My horse had the operation in the middle of his back 4 years ago, he has now been diagnosed with it in his bottom. My vet is hoping not to operate and has given my horse shock wave therepy 3 times and he is now on lunging excercise until we go back to the clinic next week, I am also allowed to hack but only walking whilst sitting on him. What spinal processes are touching on your horse?? I do highly recomment surgery if the problem is in the center of the horses back as this needs to be mobile. Once operated, the problem is no longer able to reoccur in the same area.
 
One of my horses has KS affecting 5 vertebrae just behind his wither. He had three courses of Tildren which made no difference, so then had cortisone injections into the affected area, the vet said the spine was so tight she couldn't get the needle between the vertebrae so just injected around them, but unfortunately it made no improvement. He is fine for light hacking and has gone out on loan.
 
Tass I think Q's may be similar as I know there was a problem getting the needle in the other day during the initial assessment.

The problem is from his withers to about 5 inches back (I think vet said T14/15). The Chiropractor also thinks there is a problem with his neck - the facet joints.

He's on bute now which does seem to free him up a little but he is still very irritable, especially being rugged up but he's a light weight TB with no winter coat and vet and physio advised to keep him warm so I can't leave the rugs off (i'm sure he isn't too hot).

J
 
All I can say is a friend of mines horse had/has kissing spines, she did a fair amount of research on the subject and her vet referred her to the Willesley vet clinic, when x rayed they found the horse had 4 impinging vertebrae and was in a lot of pain.

They operated and although it's been a long and slow process, firstly box rest, walking in hand, then limited turn out now lunging in a Pessoa, she is starting to make progress. The important thing is building up her top line and she will be going back to the clinic in a few weeks time for an assessment.

Her owner was understandably worried about the operation but from what I understand it is very successful and everyone is hoping that the horse is sound and happy when she finally comes back into ridden work. Obviously the horse isn't mine so I can't comment too fully on the condition but there are a few people on this forum that have gone for the operation route and I am sure they would be more than willing to give you their experiences!

BTW the horse was always paranoid about having rugs put on and her saddle etc. Vet has also said to keep her well rugged up to keep her back warm.
 
Hi

my mare just had the op, the injections didnt work and besides they are a short term solutions (if they work!). Get referred to Willesley, atleast let them see the xrays before you bother wasting money on the injections, are you going through insurance? id get the op done now so you'll have your horse back for the summer!

oh my mare was a weaving monster before her op, she didnt like her tummy brushed saddle etc now she is a completely different horse!! shes been on box rest for weeks now (some complications with antibiotics..nothing is ever simple!) and is totally chilled!

everyone on this forum helped me out so much as i was so confused at what to do!
 
Hi

My mare has just been diagnosed with KS on x-ray. Only symptom was she has been stopping at jumps but only sometimes! - (she never used to stop at all). Has been jumping 1.10m BSJA & hunting. My vet has advised surgery as best long term option as she is only 8. Problem is he says 6wks box rest, 4wks in a pen & 6 to 9 mths in paddock with some groundwork if i wish & everything I'm reading seems to contradict this. Very confused! Also has anyone used Fellowes Farm vets nr Huntingdon for this op?
 
Cleo - PLEASE get a referral to a specialist for this (Ideally Svend Kold at Willesley, or Rossdales) or at the very least a second opinion.

It is vital that the horse gets moving following surgery, they need to develop the strength, mobility and suppleness in the topline in order to support the compromised spinal column. This is achieved through strategic polework, lunging/longlining and the help of a physio.

If you need any more help/advice/experiences the just ask, and do a search on HHO for kissing spines and I'm sure it will drag up many of the stories of HHO's very on KS group - unfortunately there are lots of us who have had horses go through the surgery.
 
Thanks for the advice - I think I will get a second opinion & maybe a referral. Spoke to my vet again & he was adamant about rest being the best treatment. Rossdales is quite close to me but don't mind taking her to Willesley if thats the best - certainly Sven Kold seems to have the most experience of doing these ops from what I've seen on the net. Think my vet might have his nose put a bit out of joint though!
 
Thanks Holly - have decided to get second opinion from Willesley. I'm trying to persuade my insurers to pay first though & my current vet is writing to them so am going to wait for him to do that first.
Was wondering what sort of performance peoples' horses returned to after the op? I know there's no guarantees but my mare has such an amazing jump even while she's been in pain bless her & wondering whether there is a good chance of her being able to perform like that in the future?
 
Cleo - 'official' statistics (Walmsley et al., 2002) are that 72% of horses return to full performance following surgery.
My lad isn't back in ridden work yet, but he moves really well on the lunge so I'm looking forwards to being back in the saddle!
 
My mare was diagnosed with KS and she didnt have an op or injections, she was sent away for intense physio where she was worked in a way that her spine that was touching in two places was opened back up giving her the spaces inbetween her vertibraes again. She came back to me in amazing shape, if was just hard work keeping up the regime, she had to be worked all the time or not at all, it an outline at all times, lots of lunging, just to keep her in this shape. She was 110% when she came back to me and we were doing XC again, I eventually had to let her go as I became ill and couldnt cope with her fitness regime.
 
That's interesting Dusty - what a shame. My mare is super fit anyway as she's been hunting or competing twice a week full time so perhaps that's why it's only shown up as the odd stop jumping. She had still been getting placed BSJA on a surface but started putting in some stops on grass.
 
It wasnt a fitness thing, as my mare was fit before she went for physio, if was changing her body shape to pushe her spine up more and hence push the spine apart, it was a lady called Liz Launders who is based in Tewksbury, she had her for 6 weeks and she was stabled for the entire 6 weeks with intense work everyday to change her shape, and then I was given the instruction that I had to follow every week to ensure she stayed in this shape.
 
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