Little Lad Has Arthritis

MrsMozartletoe

MrsMozartletoe

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He's been a bit pottery lately and quite unwilling to walk any distance at all, i.e. from field to stable and it's about fifty feet :(

Ordered something (name has just escaped me!), but it has not arrived yet. Had the vet out a couple of days ago; she says he has arthritis in his front legs :(. He's on Bute for a few days to see how he goes (and Milk Thistle to protect his liver whilst he's on it).

He's an old lad, though how old we don't know - guessing at about somewhere between twenty and twenty-five, been in fine health (once we got his teeth sorted, his weight under control, etc.). Still happy in himself on the whole, still enjoying a good head rub, etc. and living out 24/7 with the others - I asked if he should be stabled, but vet says it's better if he's out and moving about, plus he gets a bit stressy if in for more than a couple of days.

I always thought he would go on for ever. I know arthritis is not the end of the world, but I didn't think he would ever fade or fail in any way.
 
Where is the arthritis - fetlocks/knees etc? Is he unshod? if so, are you sure the problem's not actually more due to him getting foot sore walking on this frozen ground? Our oldie is very pottery at the moment and we have been putting Boa boots on his front feet during the day just to give him a little relief. The bute will obviously help either way but maybe consider if him getting a bit foot sore is making the problem seem worse than it is.
 
Oh I'm sorry to hear this Mrs. M. As said above, are you sure it's nothing else? Is it something more minor exacerbated by the cold snap?
As you said, arthritis isn't the end of the world and there are plenty of treatments (but sadly no cures) and there's no reason he shouldn't still go on for years.
I know what you mean about thinking they will go forever - it was a hell of a shock when I got the news BJ had been PTS but that was a sudden colic for no reason.

Fingers crossed that LL has plenty of happy and pain free years ahead of him xxx
 
Unshod all round. Hind legs/feet no problem. Been unshod for a couple of years now if I remember right. Swelling on knees and fetlocks. His reluctance to walk was on flat ground, but will try some boots and see if that helps, thank you :)
 
I know that a lot of people think they are quack medecine and of no use, but we found magnet boots worked very well on a couple of our oldies with stiff joints. May be worth a try. :)
 
The majority of older horses and ponies have arthritis and the cold exacerbates this - its not surprising hes finding it a bit more difficult. At this point its vital to have a store of bute for him to use in the future on an as needed basis. Horses can go on for many many years with arthritis - he could well have had it for 10-15 years at this stage! I wouldnt worry too much about it - just give him bute as required and if hes on continuous bute then a blood sample every 6mths -1yr to check liver and kidney function may be an idea. Dont worry too much! x
 
There is a very old pony at the yard -well into her 30's. She siezes up completely in this very cold weather if she is out all the time. She is currently stabled at night in thermatex wraps and turned out for for 2 hours in the morning in turnout chaps and walked out lunchtime and evening and is moving quite well all things considered! When she was out all day in this very cold weather she was literaly unable to walk back to the stable, we had to take a trailer up to get her back to the yard. It might be worth looking into some turnout chaps for him if he is out all the time?
 
Can you get your farrier to just pop over and check him?(ob not today, but asap) I am not a "vet basher", but have known vets misdiagnose laminitis, and the fact your boy is hobbly on front more than behind, may mean its that and not arthritis.I would def bring in, at least over night as if lammy, would be miles better off the hard ground at least some of the time.
Have there's more lammy around where I am, atm cos of exceptionally hard/cold ground.
 
GR - thank you hun :). We always have Bute to hand and/or Danilon (comes from having so many neds lol). Will keep an eye on him. Thank you :D


JL - can't keep him in. He'll stress too much as the others are out. I'll try some turnout boots on him, though it's his knees (as well as his fetlocks) that are affected.

Wish I could remember the name of the stuff I've ordered...
 
FestiveG said:
I know that a lot of people think they are quack medecine and of no use, but we found magnet boots worked very well on a couple of our oldies with stiff joints. May be worth a try. :)
Click to expand...

YO swears by magnetic boots for her old horse with arthritis. It flares up from time to time (generally after a little too much work) but the magnetic wraps/boots keeps it under control.
 
My 29 yo has athritis & this hard ground can be pretty tough on the joints. Bobby is on half a bute per day (& has been for 4 years with no problems) which I up to a full sachet for a few days if he gets too sore. I didn't find any of the herbal remedies or joint supplements helped but when he developed cushings & I put him on Cushinaze several people commented that he seemed less stiff.

Bobby is out up to 13 hours a day & his bed is deep littered straw which is very warm & soft. Despite his arthritis he is still quite capable of kicking out at my youngster when he wants him to play.
 
Thank you :D

He's not worked any more, though D1 may hop on bareback every now and then for a wee wander 'round the school; he seems to like the attention, but tacking up and being serious is a no-no (reason he is retired).

Topspec 10 10! That's what I've ordered - was recommended by Native Ponies and I respect her knowledge in these things :D. Have the Bute (and MilkThistle) to run along side 'till I think the Topspec has kicked in.

Going to try the Bioflow people, see what they can suggest/provide.

Would love to see him in a warm, deep bed, but he'd be happy for a day or two, then he would be barging the door to get out. He's better than he was :D. Couldn't be stabled at all and had to have an anti-weave grill up to stop him coming over the top of the door.
 
my littel one Matrix has arthritus- hes retired, but it can be dealt with.
he has really improved on Cortaflex, loosened him up well- pricey but worth it! gone from half bute everyday to quarter every other day
cider vinegar also helps him a lot.
he has thermatex legwraps which are brilliant when its cold, keep his legs toasty, and we try and make sure he keeps moving- so in this ghastly weather when he cant go out, he goes for walks up and down the yard to get him moving. out 24/7, it should be easier.
good luck ((((((((hugs))))))
 
I was going to say was it you who ordered the 10:10. I have mine on it. No idea if it does any good though as I have put mine on it as a preventative as opposed to helping relieve an existing problem. My horse physio guy recommended it though. Hope it does work for you but I would also maybe look into the magnetic stuff. We bought a collar for our dog - we were a little sceptical about it but it seems to have improved him no end.
 
glad you found some 10:10 - was going to say that Farmway sell it here, and if you still couldn't find it then I'd get some and post it to you. :) They may sell it online too.

also, our old lad lived unshod and turned out with athritis for probably 15 years! He was 46 when he died of something totally unrelated! don't fret about it too much MrsM, once it warms up and the ground softens up he'll be much better.
 
Oh poor LL, but Mrs M (as you will know anyways!) its not the end of the world. Merlinsquest's horse has it in all four legs and reckons unless you saw his xrays, you would never believe it!
My oap mini had it, and it only got to him in the really really cold wet weather. We had him PTS in the autumn as at 30 something, he was starting to struggle with it. The second time he couldn't get up without help, we called it a day.
LL will be around for a while yet to give you a run for your money!!
Top Spec is great stuff!
 
Spottyappy said:
Can you get your farrier to just pop over and check him?(ob not today, but asap) I am not a "vet basher", but have known vets misdiagnose laminitis, and the fact your boy is hobbly on front more than behind, may mean its that and not arthritis.I would def bring in, at least over night as if lammy, would be miles better off the hard ground at least some of the time.
Have there's more lammy around where I am, atm cos of exceptionally hard/cold ground.
Click to expand...

Sorry! Just seen this one. He is prone to laminitis, but the stance is nothing like when he's having a bout; there's no heat or bounding pulse; pressure test fine. Flexion tests on hind legs good, but front legs bad, plus the swelling at Kees and fetlocks. Thank you for the thinking though! :)
 
Thank you L25. I didn't think of his age :( I will have a look at Bioflows offerings :)

Ta for the thought hun :):)

Fingers crossed for the Topspec. Native Ponies rates it :D

Ta :) He's definitely happier now the Bute is doing its job :D Moving freely :D Just dropped it down to one a day, so will see how he goes.
 
i have arthritis i my knee, every time its cold the ache starts, so i put on a knee cover, massage twice a day with radian b lotion buy from chemist, i use it on youngsters who have stifle problems, its like a bloomin miracle the relief from the ache which is worse at night, i would go for warmth everytime, the increase in circulation and suppleness in the joint reduces the pain and the subsequent damage to cartiledge from cold stiff joints.
i would also use cider vinegar, its been around ages as an aid, its very cheap and natural
 
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