PTS or opt for surgery? What would you do?

A few years ago, my friends 16.2hh, 17yr old ID middle to heavywieght had an op. We felt for him it was necessary as his QOL was being affected.

The surgery went fine, as did the anaesthetic - however - the problem lay in the recovery. He came round fine, and got up well, but, during the night he lay down and must have lain for sometime, as in the morning they struggled to get him up. He had radial paralysis, and wouldn't weight bear on his off fore. They splinted it, but he managed to lie down again and it took them more than an hour to get him back up.

He was put into a sling to stop him lying again, and all the time he wouldn't weight bear on the off fore. After a terrible night, he foundered in the near fore. They fought and fought, but the following night we had to call it a day and let him go.

As your girlie is a heavyweight think very hard about the GA and the recovery. We really chose what we thought was the best option for this guy, and the op was a complete success, only the recovery wasn't :(
 
Ginger Bear said:
Keep us updated tam ski. Just out of interest sparkysmum, what's wrong with ur horse.
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Hi ginger bear

My horse sparky has just been diagnosed with ringbone in both front coffin joints, one worse than the other. It has been suggested by the vet that he has surgery to fuse the joints in order for him to have a better quality of life as only a light hack or to have him pts. The problem is, as like anything there are no guarantees that it will work! My dilema is do i put him through this as he is so young and the thought of having him pts at such a young age absolutely destroys me :(

I really don't know what to do for the best? Another vet from the same practice has suggested to let him have the surgery but, after reading about the recovery process i know he couldnt put up with the extensive box rest and also i worry about the effect it will have on the other leg as he has to have them done seperately. There is also the fact of keeping him laminitus free. He is of to the vets tomorrow for another block so will keep you posted on the outcome. Could really do with some advice or kind words to help me through this as, i really dont know what to do :(
 
Could really do with some advice or kind words to help me through this as, i really dont know what to do :([/QUOTE]


Ahhh I feel for you because I have been there.. as I have been through the operation with my boy & he is now 100% sound..if you have any questions PM me or I can always PM you my number if you'd like to discuss..
 
Hi all,

Farrier and vet were out yesterday and hubby was home too. We had a good chat about what to do and i think we've made a decision.

At the moment we are going to do everything possible that's non invasive and if her quality of life does not improve then we'll call it a day.

We've now got a specialist remedial farrier coming out on Monday to see if he can ease her way of going. After that I don't see that there is much else we can try.

The extra danilon has made a small improvement so far but it's not significant enough. Will wait and see if it improves further as it builds up in her system.

Vibes for her please as she's a lovely big girl
 
Hi, I hope that the remedial farriery can help. Its a had decision - i personally would do what you are doing. Be guided by the professionals and your horse. No - one knows your horse like you do. xx
 
I think your making the right decision too.. with ringbone if a horse is left long enough it will fuse on it's own over so many years... i know your girly is older but is this not a posibility? - the ringbone is the joint healing itself. I was told before my boys op that if he was left out in a field for 5 years-ish his pastern would fuse on it's own & as your girl is going to be retired anyway - she only needs to be pain free not sound enough to ride.
 
In my experience, finadyne(/flunixin/banamine) does not do enough for orthopaedic pain such as this. It may be worth a try but I would increase the bute dose instead. I havent read the thread so dont know how much she is on but as a stabilising dose a horse can usually tolerate 3-4sachets daily for a short duration. There are some other NSAIDs on the market that may potentially have less effect on the stomach/gut that may be worth trying either. Also Finadyne is only available in iv injectable and (v expensive) paste forms. If paste is offered, I would get the iv drug instead and administer orally as it is just as effective and far cheaper - but whatever you do, dont inject it into the muscle!

For what its worth, I think you have made the right decision for your girl.
 
Id second the finadyne suggestion - maybe for a few days after the farrier has been and then drop down to bute again. You can get finadyne in sachets - but they are expensive, and the boxes are tiny (think its 10 - we stock it at work,but dont often sell it!) its not something that youd want a horse on long term, but for short term comfort making (when you have something slightly more uncomfortable to do) then Id be happy to do it.

For what my opinion is worth, I think the decision you have made is a good one - you are being very sensible, and while I know its hard, while your horse is happy then its worth a try. You will know when shes had enough.

(hug)
 
Good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specialist farrier was out today and we did leverage testing on her front feet. Results were surprising/shocking to all of us.

She had been shod according to her xrays but in actual fact she was most comfortable in completely the opposite position!! How does that work??

So she's had pads fitted (no actual shoe) that put her in this position and straight away she was weight bearing and was just back to her old self. I'm still shocked as it was such an instant change in her whole body language. So it's a wait and see how she goes over the next few days but I'm quietly excited that she'll be comfortabvle enough to continue mooching round the field for a while yet.

Never seen this method used befor but jeez it works! Can't wait to go out and see her in the morning!
 
Great news!!

It just goes to show, the horse themselves know best over vets, farriers and most other experts! :)
 
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