Littlest pony is off to horsepital in the morning...

muckypony

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Some of you will probably remember my post from a couple of weeks ago - very lame little shetland, hoped it was an abscess but unfortunately not!

Over a month after the initial injury, he's still lame. The second (and current) vet has been fantastic, I'm so glad I got him to come out. We did 5 days of Bute and box rest and he was pretty much sound, so we were going to continue the box rest but without Bute for a further 2 weeks and go from there. A week in I called him again as he was hopping lame again. He was booked in last week to go in tomorrow. I put him back on the Bute to make him more comfortable until a few days ago. I haven't walked him out of the stable since as I find he gets quite upset when you allow him out for a walk and then put him back, and I'm also scared he will be really broken!

The 'plan' is to ultrasound, if that doesn't show anything then nerve block the tendon in the shoulder, and if that isn't possible (he's very... 'difficult' shall we say! And apparently that's Ricky enough to successfully do on a 16.2 horse) they will bone scan. It obviously depends what they find as they go.

To add to that, the snotty nose he had (which was making us think access most likely) is back again after the antibiotics, really stinky, so it's likely to be a sinus problem. The Bute seems to keep that at bay too, but has obviously worsened since I stopped it a few days ago. He will be having that looked at too. Poor little man, not only is his leg hurting but it must be making his head feel very heavy and just generally poorly.

I'm worried what the outcome will be :( he is so young, I am normally really against long-term box rest, but hes been so good since the initial upset. I feel so mean everyday leaving him yet again stuck in his box, but at just 4 years old, he potentially has another 25 years left of being his cheeky chappy self in the field.

Tomorrow is going to be very stressful, he's been great box resting on his own during the day, but his little buddy comes in to join him in the box at night so I think that helps. He is potentially looking at a few days away if he is bone scanned or needing surgery. Not only will he be very upset, but so will his best bud :(

HHO vibes for the cutest pony in the world, pictured below... (yes, he's does have the craziest hair do, I promise I try to tame it! :D )

 
Aww no! Poor little soul. I did read your original post about him. I remember reading at the time. Hope the outcome is something fairly simple and he's home again quickly.
He's a cutie!
 
Some of you will probably remember my post from a couple of weeks ago - very lame little shetland, hoped it was an abscess but unfortunately not!

Over a month after the initial injury, he's still lame. The second (and current) vet has been fantastic, I'm so glad I got him to come out. We did 5 days of Bute and box rest and he was pretty much sound, so we were going to continue the box rest but without Bute for a further 2 weeks and go from there. A week in I called him again as he was hopping lame again. He was booked in last week to go in tomorrow. I put him back on the Bute to make him more comfortable until a few days ago. I haven't walked him out of the stable since as I find he gets quite upset when you allow him out for a walk and then put him back, and I'm also scared he will be really broken!

The 'plan' is to ultrasound, if that doesn't show anything then nerve block the tendon in the shoulder, and if that isn't possible (he's very... 'difficult' shall we say! And apparently that's Ricky enough to successfully do on a 16.2 horse) they will bone scan. It obviously depends what they find as they go.

To add to that, the snotty nose he had (which was making us think access most likely) is back again after the antibiotics, really stinky, so it's likely to be a sinus problem. The Bute seems to keep that at bay too, but has obviously worsened since I stopped it a few days ago. He will be having that looked at too. Poor little man, not only is his leg hurting but it must be making his head feel very heavy and just generally poorly.

I'm worried what the outcome will be :( he is so young, I am normally really against long-term box rest, but hes been so good since the initial upset. I feel so mean everyday leaving him yet again stuck in his box, but at just 4 years old, he potentially has another 25 years left of being his cheeky chappy self in the field.

Tomorrow is going to be very stressful, he's been great box resting on his own during the day, but his little buddy comes in to join him in the box at night so I think that helps. He is potentially looking at a few days away if he is bone scanned or needing surgery. Not only will he be very upset, but so will his best bud :(

HHO vibes for the cutest pony in the world, pictured below... (yes, he's does have the craziest hair do, I promise I try to tame it! :D )

What a cute little chap - vibes coming his way.

I know it is not ideal long box rest but some horses don't mind and that is the case i feel that it is acceptable.

Fingers crossed for your wee chap. xxx
 
Thank you both, and thank you TYSSANDI for your tips on getting the bute into him - I ended up just syringing with warm water and giving a treat after, he loves the treat so much that he sticks his nose in the air ready for the syringe!
 
Thank you both, and thank you TYSSANDI for your tips on getting the bute into him - I ended up just syringing with warm water and giving a treat after, he loves the treat so much that he sticks his nose in the air ready for the syringe!

aw bless his little cotton socks xxx
 
I mix bute in golden syrup and stick it to their tongue :). If you leave your fingers in the tooth gap, they lick it all off. I wouldn't try it with a big'un though!
 
Hi - Ask the vets about bone displacia, my shetland was diagnosed with this last year, when he went very lame over night with no improvment on box rest. Apparently it's quite common in Shetlands. He had to have an operation to removed bits of cartilage in his shoulder followed by a stint of box rest and controlled exercise. 15 months down the line he is field sound, he does have a slightly odd gate and if he over exerts himself he can hobble a bit but he's still his usually cheery cheeky happy self.
 
Thanks all, I'll keep you updated.

Taking his little buddy was my first thought, but actually I think it will cause more issues when Calypso goes off to be prodded etc and Acer is left alone, I think they'll just call. Plus, the staff will despise me for leaving the troublesome duo with them!

Hi - Ask the vets about bone displacia, my shetland was diagnosed with this last year, when he went very lame over night with no improvment on box rest. Apparently it's quite common in Shetlands. He had to have an operation to removed bits of cartilage in his shoulder followed by a stint of box rest and controlled exercise. 15 months down the line he is field sound, he does have a slightly odd gate and if he over exerts himself he can hobble a bit but he's still his usually cheery cheeky happy self.

Thank you - I actually found a thread of yours the other day, I thought I had PMd you to ask how you little one was doing but I probably didn't press send! Glad to hear he's ok. Thats unfortunately what I'm dreading, as I'm told the prognosis isn't generally great :( he has had xrays already which show that the shoulder joint is very slightly flatter than ideal, but not as much as they would expect to be causing this lameness, and the other one is identical with no issues. I guess I'll find out very soon! Thank you for your positive story!
 
I think ultra sound is the only way to diagnose? I was devastated when he was diagnosed with it, there's not a lot of info about it and the prognosis isn't great but Fergus is doing absolutely fine and I'm so pleased with how he's come on. Long term we will probably end up medicating but like your wee chap he was young and deserved the chance. Our vet was a bit doom and gloom about it but it doesn't have to be a death sentence! Hopefully it's something much easier fixed than this. Will be thinking if him today :)
 
Well he is there - very shouty and a bit shaky but he is there. Unfortunately though... He is only sound as a pound isn't he! How typical... I'm hoping it's just adrenaline and he'll soon be lame again for them. Although he definitely needs to be there for the nose, it's really bad this morning.

My vet was already there and sat down with me and the surgeon which was helpful. They said ill know by 12pm if he definitely needs the bone scan... Fingers crossed!
 
Ohhh I'm so sorry to hear it didn't end up being an abscess! Keeping my fingers crossed for you today and sending positive thoughts, really hope you get some good news. Poor little fella 😔
 
Thank you, I was so hoping for an abcess!

Little update... After trotting up he was back to being very lame, he had the shoulder nerve blocked but was still lame, so that rules out most shoulder related issues although I'm not sure if this also means dysplasia is ruled out. They also ultrasounded the tendon that runs down the front of the shoulder which showed it was fine.. He is booked in for the bone scan tomorrow, which they are also doing his head included in the price... Thank god he is insured!

I went to visit him tonight and despite screaming as soon as he heard me he seemed quite settled. Judging by the notes on his door warning of escaping and rearing, he's having a brilliant time!

Hoping we have some answers tomorrow :(
 
Oh no :( I remember reading your thread about the potential abscess- I really had my fingers crossed for you that it would all be resolved quickly! Sounds very tough on you all- hopefully you'll be able to get some answers and it will be nothing too major. Sending best wishes !!
 
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