Pastern advice please....x

J

Jomanser

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Just in need of some advice.

My boy has boney growths on his Pastern joints (shown on xray). We have tried several treatments of Cartophen which didnt work. I was told my only other was surgery to remove the growths, but taking into account his age and size ( 20 & big boy) I didnt want to risk it. We then tried just managing the pain on Equipalazone (2 a day) but he had a really bad reaction to it. So he is now on Danilon (1 a day) and it makes him more comfortable. He can be ridden to help keep his weight down and his mind active, but I wouldnt say he is 100% sound on it.

Just really want to know if I should get second opinion from another vet (I have seen the growths on the xrays), or admit that I have explored every option. Is there any other form of treatment I havent tried?????
 
Yes he is still insured for this injury until November. I did speak with my vet about Tildren but she said it ran quite a big risk of colic. He has had several minor incidences with Colic in the last few years. Have you ever used Tildren? Did it work?
 
Not on my own horse but I've seen it used to good effect. It does run a risk of colic but this can be managed. Like any drug its a question of weighing up the risks against the possible benefits.

Good luck.
 
Thanks.....I think what I am looking for is just reassurance that I havent missed some other form of treatment.

I think I just need to accept that we have investigated most avenues and the only option really is pain management. I have my vet coming back next week to take blood samples to make sure the Equipalazone hasnt caused any long term damage. She has been really good and I will just have a chat with her about whether there are any other options we havent looked at.
 
When you say bony growths, I am not sure what you mean.

Arthritis involves a joint and produces spurs of bone around the joint called ostephytes, its the body trying to repair the weakned damage by laying down extra bone.

It this is the case, he might have something called ring bone. There is high and low ring bone, depending on which joint is involved.

It these growths are osteophytes, removal may or may not result in a recurrence.

If it was my 20 year old boy, I would be inclined to up the Danilon to 2 a day (my big 15 year old is on this) and gently exercise him daily on a soft surface (and ask about remedial farriery to help him.)

If you feel there is something else which can be done, see if he can be referred to a horsepital.

My horse was at the horsepital today, having remedial farriery for his sidebone.

I hope you find a solution.

x
 
He has these boney spurs growing from the front of the pastern outwards, they look like little teeth.
Saying that I watched him being ridden last night and he looked fab. My vet was there riding and said he looked superb.
So we going to crack on with the work and see how he goes. We always then have the option of increasing the Danilon to 2 a day.
Thanks everyone for your advice.
x
 
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