Mandibular joint arthritis- any experiences?

[showjump]

As title. My mares has teeth issues on and off since Christmas. Shes been gradually getting harder to ride and turn. This coupled with her not eating her hay..
Dentist has been great sorting the diastemas (sp?) but still couldn't shed light on why she wasn't eating.
Took her to vets friday. He scanned her neck- looked ok for a horse her age (15). Little lateral movement of her jaw- so scanned mandibular joints and both have arthritis (right one worse) so hes jabbed both joints.
He said it could take 2 weeks for her to be comfortable chewing her hay again.
Shes to be ridden in a hackamore for 5 days , then light contact and build up- hoping i have steering and brakes!

I've never heard of horses having this issue, and was just after any more info/ outcomes? I feel awful for not taking her sooner, poor mare had jaw ache for this long.

Thanks

 

[SJJR]

I have an older gelding who has repeated diastemas over the years to the extent that some years had dental treatment twice a year from specialised dental vet. We decided to medicate TMJ in case of pain causing the eating pattern to wear his teeth (almost but not quite shear mouth) and he was much more comfortable, diastemas grew out and since then has only required one further diastema to be opened. I also changed from haylage to hay about the same time. As my gelding now has PPID I haven't medicated the past two years and fingers crossed other than twice yearly float we haven't needed any further treatment.

 

[showjump]

I have an older gelding who has repeated diastemas over the years to the extent that some years had dental treatment twice a year from specialised dental vet. We decided to medicate TMJ in case of pain causing the eating pattern to wear his teeth (almost but not quite shear mouth) and he was much more comfortable, diastemas grew out and since then has only required one further diastema to be opened. I also changed from haylage to hay about the same time. As my gelding now has PPID I haven't medicated the past two years and fingers crossed other than twice yearly float we haven't needed any further treatment.

Thanks for your reply. Music to my ears, hoping my girlie has a similar response to your boy. She had never had any teeth issues prior to Christmas but I’ve seen the dentist more than my husband at times!! She had diastema on one side and then he came back and another had started. He said he wouldn’t of believed it if he hadn’t treated her the previous time! She’s on hay. But we tried everything to tempt her to eat even some very good haylage wouldn’t make her. Poor girl.

 

[showjump]

Just an update if anyone's interested.
My girl had both sides TMJ jabbed. After 5 days she was a different horse. She was eating all her hay, she was back to her old self when ridden.
Sadly this only lasted for 3 weeks, and gradually the symptoms crept in again. She went to only eating 1/2kg per night.
She was back and the vets last Friday, who gave me to option to medicate again. (not much point as isn't lasting) gel type injection to lubricate (again vet wasn't hopeful) so shes today having a camera in the joints to see whats happening in there, and hopefully they we be able to clean it up. Im awaiting the call prior to surgery, hope the round to doing her soon.. its likely to be a long day. Didnt get much sleep last night.

 

[rextherobber]

Just an update if anyone's interested.
My girl had both sides TMJ jabbed. After 5 days she was a different horse. She was eating all her hay, she was back to her old self when ridden.
Sadly this only lasted for 3 weeks, and gradually the symptoms crept in again. She went to only eating 1/2kg per night.
She was back and the vets last Friday, who gave me to option to medicate again. (not much point as isn't lasting) gel type injection to lubricate (again vet wasn't hopeful) so shes today having a camera in the joints to see whats happening in there, and hopefully they we be able to clean it up. Im awaiting the call prior to surgery, hope the round to doing her soon.. its likely to be a long day. Didnt get much sleep last night.

Sorry to hear this, fingers crossed for you both - hope it all goes well.

 

[SJJR]

Sorry it wasn't successful for you. Fingers crossed they get to the bottom of it.