Rest or half hearted lameness work up

[Polos Mum]

The vets locally are still operating with restrictions and while doing a bit more are certainly not operating as normal.

My 7 y/o gelding was quite lame 10th April, peak lockdown. Vets saw video, no heat no swelling, nothing viable at all, vets wouldn't come, we did 2 weeks box rest with bute (on vets advice), end of week one he looked a bit better, sound by end of week 2. He then had a week in the field. So slowly bought back into work from early May.

Then last night dog lame again, exactly the same - nothing to see anywhere.

Vets have said they will try and have a look with limited people on site and hence the question. Would it make sense to half do a lameness work up or better to field rest until the vets can do a proper job?

He's overweight, trying to remedy that, he's only ever been in what I would describe as light work.
Not shod never has been good feet but not perfect - the ground is like lumpy concrete here (as it was when it first happened) so first time round I wondered bruise - but given it's back now think that something underlying for 2 in 2 months to make him properly lame.

 

[IrishMilo]

Where is the lameness coming from, and what have the vets said they can do?

If he were mine, I would only get them out if they can do X rays, otherwise they're only going to be charging you to tell him to rest him.

 

[Polos Mum]

Where is the lameness coming from, and what have the vets said they can do?

If he were mine, I would only get them out if they can do X rays, otherwise they're only going to be charging you to tell him to rest him.

Thanks, I don't know where it's coming from sadly, that really what I'd like them to tell me. First time round the vets said 2 weeks bute would sort any soft tissue or foot bruise, but given it's recurrence so quickly it may well not be either of those.

I'd really like a better steer as to box rest or field rest, with absolutely nothing external at all I imagine that's the only two options!

 

[SEL]

Are they saying they've got limited staff at their hospital so that's why they couldn't do a full work up? I would have thought of you could drop him off then 1 vet and 1nurse could do the investigation. They seem to be operating in teams around here to minimise owner involvement

 

[Polos Mum]

6 weeks ago they weren't doing visits or taking horses in at all. They started two weeks ago having them in for nerve blocks / x rays so there is a massive back log and they can't see him in for several weeks even with precautions.
I've got him on the list if they can nerve block we'll at least have some idea

 

[Equi]

Tricky situation. Youll have to rest until the vet sees them regardless but i would book into the vets and if you think he is sound when its his time to go postpone or cancel the appointment..but if he goes lame again youll need to go to any appointment you get. Keep a video diary of every day.

As an aside, tho many here are not vets many are very good at pin pointing where a lameness looks like its coming from so that could help you help the vet pin point too.

 

[Polos Mum]

As an aside, tho many here are not vets many are very good at pin pointing where a lameness looks like its coming from so that could help you help the vet pin point too.

Many thanks Equi - good suggestion if anyone what's to throw their ideas into the mix I'll share the video below

I've had a second sensible person have a good look and feel - they too can't see anything of note

 

[Polos Mum]

Actually can't upload video - it says too big for server to process - sadly

 

[Equi]

Youtube maybe? Im not to savvy on the video uploads im afraid

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

If it was me and there was another good practise within travelling distance I would see if there is another vet that would see him. I wouldn't want to risk making something worse.

Although saying that I am lucky that I have the choice of three here really, one I wouldn't touch with a barge pole but the other two I'd happily use either.

 

[Nari]

If your initial thought was bruising have you had your farrier take a look at him?

 

[SusieT]

I'd ask them to hooftest him, to check no abscess, if not the initial treatment is likely to be rest and bute anyway so wouldn't panic about having a super quick box res.t But I'd want him hoof tested if possible to rule out abscess

 

[MuffettMischief]

Is it possible in these circumstances to see if your farrier can take a look first and see if he thinks its in the foot? It could well still be a bruise of some sort, the ground is exceptionally hard. How lame is he? Is he worse on certain surfaces or better on the soft?

 

[Polos Mum]

Thanks all, I have pressed and pressed on feet and discussed with vet - her thought was that abscess making him that lame 1) he'd be lame in walk 2) it wouldn't have gone away for 6 weeks and 3) there would be some sort of digital pulse with a nasty abscess - there isn't

I will try the farrier - better than doing nothing while we're on a massive long waiting list.