Lameness, abscess, keratoma ?

[Hayleycob]

I have a 20 year old cob with a history of lameness, so no insurance !

A couple of years ago he ripped one of the ligaments holding his near hind tendon in place, vet patched him up but wasn't too hopeful he would work again, but he's been in light work and doing ok.

He went lame before Xmas on the "bad" leg, I gave him some time off, vet came to do his vaccination and had a look at him, suggested I put him on 4 bute a day, decreasing over a couple of days, ride and see how he gets on.

Morning of day 3 he's obviously lame, I thought he'd felt so good he'd over done it and pulled something, I kept him on 4 bute, day 4, no better, strange.....day 5, hopping lame ! Day 6, farrier out couldn't find an abscess (cursing the bute).

Vet came out, sure it's an abscess, couldn't find it, told me to poultice/hot tub, still on bute.

After 5 days and another farrier visit, still no pus, Vet back to X-ray, which show.......nothing. Vet shows x-ray to senior partner who says pedal bone is abnormal, has obviously been operated on and horse must have history of foot infections.........no, I've owned him for 14 years, bought him from Ireland, can't believe anyone would "waste" money operating on 5 year old ***** pony.

Farrier noticed imperfection/hole in horses sole about 6 months ago and thinks he has a keratoma.

Vet wants to operate, may be able to do it standing, but would prefer general, this will cost £1800 + VAT + aftercare drugs/follow up.

In desperation I asked for antibiotics, horse is now very lame but weight bearing and on no bute, (he was on 4 bute and 3 legs).

I am very reluctant to let vet make a big hole in my horse (and bank balance) without knowing what they are looking for or where to look ! But something has to be done horse can't go on like this.

Any advice/ideas/experience ?

Thanks.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would get a second opinion from the X rays before proceeding I agree it's a big procedure to just carry out on a maybe, I would really want to know what the abnormality is before they start so at least you know what's your dealing with as if it is just an abscess it's a bit of a waste of time and money, I know his not insured but maybe an mri will give you a better idea of what is wrong.

my mare had an infected pedal bone my vet did the operation with her standing in her stable at about 5pm on a December evening, luckily only the very tip was damaged but it did leave a gaping great hole she was on box rest for about 4 months, she had a surgical plate fitted and I flushed out the hole myself everyday.

 

[bluebellfreddy]

I hate to say it, and not want you want to hear, but might it be time to your goodbyes and let him go? He has come to a good age, if you do have the op then it will be months of box rest and discomfort for him. And you are not going to be getting back a horse that can do full work.

Also 4 bute a day is a lot, and if he was still in pain with that it must have been a bad problem.

 

[Flame_]

I have a 20 year old cob with a history of lameness, so no insurance !

A couple of years ago he ripped one of the ligaments holding his near hind tendon in place, vet patched him up but wasn't too hopeful he would work again, but he's been in light work and doing ok.

He went lame before Xmas on the "bad" leg, I gave him some time off, vet came to do his vaccination and had a look at him, suggested I put him on 4 bute a day, decreasing over a couple of days, ride and see how he gets on.

Morning of day 3 he's obviously lame, I thought he'd felt so good he'd over done it and pulled something, I kept him on 4 bute, day 4, no better, strange.....day 5, hopping lame ! Day 6, farrier out couldn't find an abscess (cursing the bute).

Vet came out, sure it's an abscess, couldn't find it, told me to poultice/hot tub, still on bute.

After 5 days and another farrier visit, still no pus, Vet back to X-ray, which show.......nothing. Vet shows x-ray to senior partner who says pedal bone is abnormal, has obviously been operated on and horse must have history of foot infections.........no, I've owned him for 14 years, bought him from Ireland, can't believe anyone would "waste" money operating on 5 year old ***** pony.

Farrier noticed imperfection/hole in horses sole about 6 months ago and thinks he has a keratoma.

Vet wants to operate, may be able to do it standing, but would prefer general, this will cost £1800 + VAT + aftercare drugs/follow up.

In desperation I asked for antibiotics, horse is now very lame but weight bearing and on no bute, (he was on 4 bute and 3 legs).

I am very reluctant to let vet make a big hole in my horse (and bank balance) without knowing what they are looking for or where to look ! But something has to be done horse can't go on like this.

Any advice/ideas/experience ?

Thanks.

For him to be suddenly very lame, with a long term weak point in the sole, something has probably got in there and caused an infection. If there is a keratoma in there this will probably happen again unless you have the operation but you do have the option of carrying on treating the current infection and then seeing what happens, with the potential to treat future infections if they aren't too frequent. I'd carry on as you are another week or two if you can keep him fairly comfortable on bute, but if you can't clear up this probable infection there would have to be a time limit on when to operate or pts.

 

[Hayleycob]

I hate to say it, and not want you want to hear, but might it be time to your goodbyes and let him go? He has come to a good age, if you do have the op then it will be months of box rest and discomfort for him. And you are not going to be getting back a horse that can do full work.

Also 4 bute a day is a lot, and if he was still in pain with that it must have been a bad problem.

That is my other option, and I am considering it, but very hard to do while he is stood on 3 legs happily going through my pockets in search of polos.

He is now off the bute and weight bearing on the leg, but not sound, and as the antibiotics finish tomorrow I'm sure he will get worse again............