Rest after OCD surgery

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titchymoo

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I am taking my boy for OCD surgery tomorrow and feeling very chewed as expected. He's fab but he's only three years of age. So still very quirky as you can imagine. He's genuinely quite good with his legs being handled etc but gets himself very worried in new situations. He's a big 3 year old too at 16.1ish. Its the worst situation to be in with a young horse I think. We dont expect such a big test of their manners and training to come so soon. I didn't anyway. However what I'm more concerned about is how much box rest he will be on afterwards? He's been through the mill during his lead up to being diagnosed as first vet messed me about a lot, he just restricted him to a tiny paddock for rest, instead of investigating straight away. This went on for two months before I changed vets and finally got a diagnoses. Its been a long process for him already!

ideally i'd prefer to keep him in a tiny paddock outside rather than on box rest. Do you think this would be possible? Has anyone else done it this way?

He has to stay after his surgery at equine hospital for a week, then rest. How long is rest period usually?

He has OCD diagnosed in one stifle. They are going to investigate the other too just in case.

whats a nightmare! :(
 
Sorry to hear about your boy! As far as I know OCD is billateral but I hope I am completely wrong and the other leg is clear!

The period of box rest depends on the severity of the condition so unfortunately only your vet can advise you after the op. I had a horse with billateral OCD and it was one of the worst cases the vet had seen. He did 5 months of complete box rest and then another 4 months of box rest with gradual return to exercise. He was quite difficult to bring back into work.

If you can keep him in a small paddock I think it will be much better for his mental wellbeing.

Good luck and stay safe when handling him.
 
I no this is what I'm worried about the most I think his mental well being because he's such a lovely character. Its such a shame. Yes this is what my vet said too that if its one its likely to be in the other. Fingers crossed not.

My friends horse did three months, but her vet said she could put him in a small paddock however she didn't have the facilities to do so or she would have I think .

People don't understand how dangerous they can get too I think, I've popped him back in with his friends recently seen as he's going for surgery soon. before hand he could be very bargy in his stable. He's gone back to his lovely mannered self now. A vet even accused him of being bad mannered at his time of being confined. I felt like screaming in his face.

He handled his last confinement quite well I think for his age.

I've always said once their bloods up you don't stand a chance though soo I don't want to get to the situation where he's just so full of himself and fed up that he's dangerous.

The plan is to keep him as happy and comfortable as possible and I'm also going to feed him super kalm plus for the duration.
 
Hi yeh he had it done he's fine its just a sloe recovery it wasn't as bad as first thought he only had it in one of his stifles very mild. he wa son box rest for 7 weeks then in a small paddock for 2-3 weeks. he went in with his pals yesterday. but he's abit sore today so i'm going to rest until the vet comes out for his check up tomoro. hopefully he'll still say just leave him with his friends and let him heal himself. god knows tho its such a confusing illness. i've read all sorts on it some books advise months of box rest other advise minimil box rest and paddock rest.
 
my boy had it in both his stifles and post-op had 6wks box rest then small paddock although on day2 of being turned out he came in with a fat hock (probably from hurtling around) so had another 2wks of box rest. he then had 6mths of turnout, starting with very small paddock where he wasn't meant to be able to run around, although somehow still managed it. unfortunately he never came 100% sound. he's now out on loan as a light hack.
 
vet visited yesterday it was very good news he been confirmed sound. he's just abit stiff which the vet reckons will loosen up as he begins to be worked. My vet said that I might aswell just crack on with as its somthing he's always going to have. luckily he only has it mild in one stifle and now he's had surgry hopefully it wont bother him at all again. however if he goes lame on it at any point during training or breaking or just in years to come or riding, on that let then its probs to do with his ocd and theres nothing they can do to help him out. its just somthing i'll always have to manage with him but fingers crossed he'll be fine, if not and he does go lame i'll retire him in a nice field or just loan him as a light hack as you've done youself
 
I have had three horses with OCD (unluckly or what!!!) two foals from the same stud different mares and stallions and a TB!! I had one opperated on and he was fine!!!!! He is still running and jumping 10 years later
 
I'd speak to your vet and ask him/her what they think. If they say box rest then there are loads of things you can do to brighten up his day - leave lots of little nets for him, give him lots of small feeds throughout the day where possible, hang swedes, etc for him, give him a snackaball, dig a big square of turf, he will love playing with that and shaking it around. Give him a piece of tree bark to chew on, put some apples bobbing in his water, chuck some small pieces of carotts/apples in his bed, leave a radio on a classical music station, get people to visit him lots, give him a quick groom or long massage.

When he eventually goes out I'd strongly recommend Zyklene Powder http://www.animalmedicines.co.uk/detailed_product.asp?id=72014&sec=&p_type=free_any which you put in their feed. It has an amazing effect and is much, much better than sedalin or any other product in my opinion. It's extremely palatable and although around £3.25-£3.50 a sachet its well worth it. I was giving my 17.1hh weighing in at 725KG one and a half sachets a day for five days, one day prior to turn out, and for four days following after his box rest. I can promise they won't run round half as much on Zyklene. When he was on sedalin I stopped it after day three and he went NUTS. Here is the video of hime after three weeks box rest and me stopping sedalin on day four. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XOkOL8iYCE His leg came up like a tree trunk. Never again.
 
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My shire filly is just about to go in for OCD surgery on her hock. Interested to hear if yours were hock OCD & what their recovery was? I only want to hack & have her as a pleasure horse, she won't ever work really hard so as long as she is sound and not in pain I will be happy. Would love to hear your thoughts though. Thanks
 
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