Navicular cysts?

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red marksman

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One of our horses has been lame ( off fore) on and off since easter. Eight weeks ago he was nerve blocked and x rayed. This showed up a small pea shaped anomaly in the navicular bone. He has had 2 sets of egg bar shoes on since then. The first set seemed to help him and he was much better until he lost one ( on the bad foot) and ever since then despite a new pair of shoes he has been consistently lame especially when he comes out of the stable in the morning (looks like a real crock!).
He is being reshod on Wednesday so I am hoping that this helps him. I am wondering whether to ask the vet for some bute to alleviate his pain (none has been offered as yet).
Also a friend has recommended the use of magnetic boots to help with the circulation- does anyone have any experience of using these in smilar circumstances?
I would be very grateful for any input as there seems to be no improvement in his condition- in fact he is worse now than when he was first diagnosed 8 weeks ago. My vet is non commital on his chances of a full recovery which is worrying.
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A horse I know had a similar cyst and was similarly lame. She had tildren, and came 100% sound after that plus a sensible box rest/hand walking regime. I know the jury is out on Tildren but on this horse it worked like a dream. She never wore egg bars but was barefoot during her rehab, only had shoes on (remedial but normal shoes) when back in work.
 
I'm sorry but I don't know about this particular problem but I've found a number of links which is really interesting, plus a testimonial regarding bioflow boots on horses with problems, afraid it doesn't actually cite navicular bone cyst but it says about navicular disease itself. I rate Bioflow boots having had a pair for over 7 years now.

http://www.home-business-information-reviews.com/custom-1/Bioflow%20letters.pdf

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=177076
http://easycareinc.typepad.com/ask_the_vet_tomas_teskey/bone_cysts/
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/larad2/article/article7/a7sec3.htm
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MQTRQ...+navicular+bone,+treatment&source=bl&ots=IGLvixuTT8&sig=OrJLAcPzoPAeoHNHrU-C-fq_B0w&hl=en&ei=oxGASpLvDI-Ctge_1NT6AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=cyst%20navicular%20bone%2C%20treatment&f=false
 
Thanks for that Halfstep . I will ask my vet about it .
Thanks applecart- looks like they are definately worth a try.In fact I am just going to a friends to borrow some!
 
Could it be worth having a lameness expert have a look at him?

I am taking Grace back to Peter Scholefield in Halifax on Wednesday afternoon to have her left fore rechecked while we are still insured because she just gets a bit footy towards the end of the shoeing period
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I am hoping we can have a bit more input on whether she has improved at all with xrays etc.
 
May do that eventually Becky- need to give the shoes a good chance to work first. I hope you have an enlightening trip to Halifax and Grace's x rays look better.
 
Thank you... I just thought that if you are going to go down the tildren route it may be worth using someone who has seen this a hundred times if that makes sense
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I am guessing that bute has not been prescribed because the vet is trying to see how much difference the shoeing is making to him?

The other thing that I have learned about cysts (have you spoken to Yvonne as her horse had one on his stifle???) is that they can go in with keyhole surgery and flush out the cyst with antibiotics and steroids.
 
Oooh that sounds interesting! Have put the magnetic boots on tonight and will leave him in with only controlled exercise this week as Sarah is at camp with rolo so spot has no one to go out with. Will speak to Yvonne but I have a feeling that Ryan's cyst was 'on' the bone rather than 'in' it like Spot's is.
 
I think you might be right actually... I think it was within the joint itself which is why it was quite hard to get to. I don't even know whether they could get into the navicular bone, but they can denerve the area so I am guessing there must be some way of getting in there.

Will keep my fingers crossed for Jen and Spot.
 
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