Pelvic misalignment?

Poppy149_

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Hello, (someone please help me?!)

I have a 14 month old cob filly who I have had from the day she was born (unexpected). The other week when I came up the field she was completely lame on her hind left leg and couldn't weight bare. I called the vet who then for some reason treated her for an abscess and when returning 3 days later told me it wasnt an abscess and he thought it was a slipping pattella... (£400 down the drain!) He adviced me to take her in for x-rays (another £400), and after having a good think I decided to get a 2nd opinion by having a chiropractor out. (Over the next few days I noticed that her bum was completely unlevel by a good inch or two!)

The chiropractor who came out a few weeks after the vet adviced me said she has most likely had a fall in the field and it looks like it could be a pelvic misalignment, I was hoping this would be something not too complicated and she would be able to realign her there and then. She did about 10 minutes using a machine on her muscles and advised me to get an x-ray of the stifle. From what I've read on the forums I was expecting this to be quite a common thing that a chiropractor would have seen and been able to manipulate?

Unfortunately I really am not made of money and as much as I love my dear little foal, I don't feel I can be spending endless amounts of money on this. I am happy to pay the money if I know it's getting her better.

Is this something that will fix itself over time? Can I have a chiropractor treat her? What will getting her x-rayed really achieve?

I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has a similar story! Sorry not sure how to attach a photo... New to this!
 

Red-1

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I am sorry but if the horse is non weight bearing and the vet has advised an X ray then I think you need to do the X ray.

A chiropractor would not be permitted to treat without diagnosis, and has also recommended X ray.

It needs an X ray if she is in pain (or PTS if you don't want to spend the money on investigations).
 

Pearlsasinger

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Are you really saying that the horse has been non-weight bearing on that leg for weeks? Rather than wasting your money on the Chiro, who can't diagnose, you should have taken the option of an x-ray, so that you could have a better idea of what is going on. Poor horse.
 

Pinkvboots

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The horse needs an x ray it's the only way you are going to find out what is wrong with her, a chiro can't treat the horse if it's lameness is undiagnosed anyway it's not ethical.
 

Nudibranch

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I believe - from my vet who I trust implicitly - that "misaligned" pelvis is usually something else entirely but is used as a term by some individuals as a good reason to continue treatment. A bit like when "the poll is out".
It certainly sounds like your foal needs an x ray.
 

Poppy149_

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No, she able to weight bare on all 4 legs, she was only unable to weight bare for the first day the vet came out. Thanks for all the advice. I will get her x-rayed now I know that's the best thing :)
 

oldie48

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My vet is a partner in the local equine hospital, which has a national reputation and I trust him implicitly. Mr B felt tight behind and wasn't stepping his left hind under properly. Vet noticed that he was slightly asymetrical with a slight drop on one side and a little muscle wastage and said to get my physio out (whom he knows), physio did quite a lot of work on Mr B including manipulating both hinds. It sorted him out completely although I did take him to the vet for a check on his hocks, as this sort of problem can come from problems lower down because the horse is loading the hip rather than the hock. He passed with flying colours. B had an injury in the field a couple of years ago and came in, not lame as such, but unwilling to trot, even in hand. It required a couple of treatments to get him right again but it has left him with a slight weakness. I'd also get your foal X rayed so you know what is going on. FWIW I don't think your vet was wrong to suggest it might be a problem with the patella as it can cause a symptom like this. I hope you get this sorted
 

Poppy149_

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Hiya thank you for this. The vet who came out to see her has only recently qualified which is why I questioned it, and also misdiagnosing for an abscess is something completely different. I also know a slipping patella goes back into place as the lady who own the yard had a horse with it, however my foals seems to not slip back if this was the issue. I thought a chiropractor/physio would be the best person just as they specialise in back/bones. But I do agree that an x-ray is the best thing. Thank you :)
 

Pearlsasinger

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Just to be clear, the most common reason for sudden non-weight bearing is an abscess. The horse can look almost as if it has broken a leg, abscesses can also appear to resolve quickly, so it wasn't a silly thing for the vet to say.

I hope your foal is ok.
 

ester

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Yeah if any horse is non weight bearing its usually an abscess that seems a totally normal thing to start with (otherwise you are xraying for bone fractures pretty quick).

I'm pretty shocked that a chiro treated this horse without the vets permission (or that the vet would have given permission without a diagnosis). Thank goodness they didn't do any manipulation.

Not all slipping patellas slip back into place.

Unfortunately that is how it is with horses, you dont know if you are going to be able to get them right until you get them a diagnosis.
 

Poppy149_

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The chiropractor did ask my vet for permission before coming out. Oh I didn't know that I was told that they would go back into place and then slip out again then need putting back into place. Thank you :)
 

Poppy149_

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Yes this is another I had heard, wouldn't have thought it's broken/fractured as she would be in a lot of pain and at the moment she seems fine in herself. Making me think it is something linked to her stifle and that's what's caused her uneven bottom! Will hoepfully find out soon...
 
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