Robins vet visit

[doodle]

Well it’s not the best. Vet was expecting mild arthritis in the top hock joint to account for the swelling. However when he xrayed the hocks he found the bottom joint in both hocks is very bad. He showed me the xrays and I didn’t need him to explain them to me. Neither of us were expecting that level of changes. It’s bad. Right worse than left but really quite nasty.

I said that amount of change hasn’t just happened. He agreed and thought he would have been feeling it all summer. He trotted up sound 2 months ago. I asked how much pain he would have been in and vet feels he would have been in constant grumbling pain.

I feel so emotional at this as it shows quite how kind and generous Robin is. It took until now with that amount of change for him to complain. We had a lovely summer hacking out, cantering up hills and generally having fun.

Vet felt we need to deal with that joint first and then come back and investigate the top joint. He is relatively confident however he will come back hacking. He has had steroid injections in both hocks. Box rest till Friday. Then turn out for a week then get on him and hack very quietly for a week until vet comes back to reassess. Then probably back to vets to inject top joint.

So I was expecting hock spavins. I just (neither of us) didn’t expect the amount of damage.

 

[Gingerwitch]

Hugs x

 

[Roxylola]

Oh bless him, he must have been enjoying himself with you to have kept going. Knowing is always better than not, you can plan treatment and next steps now. Sorry it's not better news for you though

 

[canteron]

So sorry - but hopefully you will have lots of lovely times still to come x

 

[doodle]

It does however mean that there is an extra kick for me to loose another stone in 10 days

 

[nikicb]

Sorry it was not the news you were hoping for, but I always find I feel better about things if there is a plan of action, which you have. I will keep everything crossed for you that he responds to the treatment and rehab programme. Good luck! x

 

[ycbm]

Sorry it wasn't better news K.

 

[Merrymoles]

Just to say that my horse, who has broken a piece of bone off his hock and also has some arthritic changes in the joint, had a steroid injection in September and is currently sound enough to hack - he's another one who loves being out and about.

So there is hope and I will keep everything crossed for you!

 

[Baywonder]

Oh no, I'm so sorry it wasn't the news you were hoping for. At least Robin has had the injections today, and there is a good plan of action in place.

Sending massive hugs to you and Robin. X

 

[Polos Mum]

Well done you for not letting it go. Sorry it's not the best news but now you are informed you can make a plan.

 

[SEL]

I'm sorry you didn't get better news but at least you pushed for an answer and now you can manage him. Depending on how you get on with the steroids I can also highly recommend the gel injections - really helped my mare.

 

[vmac66]

Sorry its not better news, x

 

[Billyandme]

Sorry to read this xxx

 

[Rosemary28]

Sorry it’s not better news K. *hugs*

 

[The Xmas Furry]

K, glad you got a result but not what you were wanting, but am glad you have a plan with vets and can move forward xx

 

[View]

K, ao you listened to your horse, investigated and have an answer and a plan. It’s rubbish he’s sore, but you’re on the way to managing that. Hugs

 

[COldNag]

K that is rotten news. Keeping everything crossed that the treatment works well x

 

[scats]

Sorry it wasn’t better news x

 

[jumbyjack]

Sorry it's not better news. My horse with similar problems did very well with yearly hock injections so don't lose hope.

 

[babymare]

Sorry it was not the news you wanted but you have a plan. You listened to him and pushed for answers. Hugs

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm sorry you didn't get better news but at least you pushed for an answer and now you can manage him. Depending on how you get on with the steroids I can also highly recommend the gel injections - really helped my mare.

This.

I’m sorry that the news isn’t better, but if gel injections are an option for Robin I’d recommend them - they are more expensive than steroids but longer lasting.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Don’t bash yourself up K....when Robin felt good you had your lovely rides and his behaviour when he felt bad you picked up on and acted. The change of weather...colder and wetter..will have made him feel his discomfort more than when we had drier warm weather..I feel the same! Usual vibes being sent!

 

[Trouper]

Well at least you can give him the appropriate treatment now to make him more comfortable. He obviously loves doing things with you and if the vet thinks that you can get back to that level of hacking then you both have a future - maybe not the one that you planned but a future.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Ditto what Midlifecrisis said, when the weather is warmer, and drier, that often have a positive effect on such discomforts. Together with his kind, and generous temperament, I'm guessing that Robin mostly enjoyed himself as much as you did this Summer.

It's crap that you found what you found, but at least there is treatments to try.
{{{{{{Vibes}}}}}}

 

[Annagain]

I'm sorry about Robin but you absolutely do not need - nor should you try - to lose a stone in 10 days. I don't know you in real life so have no idea if you need to lose weight but if you do, you need to do it sensibly. We all know how much you want the best for Robin but please take care of yourself as well as him.

 

[doodle]

Thank you everyone. He is not at all impressed at being in today. I had to stand touching him (preferably scratching all his itches!) for any sort of sense. He has his 2 buddies beside him and had settled a bit when we left. I am not sure if the bandages are itchy or if he is just cross as he has stamped back legs a few times. Bandages can come off tonight.

I am now wondering if I am being selfish by wanting to ride again. Would it be better to just stop now. I guess that is question for the vet.

As for my weight I am very over weight. He can carry me quite happily but loosing weight can only be a help. I have lost 1 stone 3 so far so another stone is good. Just because he can carry it dosnt mean he should.

I just feel flat and sad.

 

[doodle]

I'm sorry you didn't get better news but at least you pushed for an answer and now you can manage him. Depending on how you get on with the steroids I can also highly recommend the gel injections - really helped my mare.

What are gel injections?

 

[Annagain]

Well done on the weight loss so far. I've recently lost 3 - one more to go so know where you're coming from. Rushing it won't do anyone any good though. Slow and steady wins the race. Good luck with both Robin and the weight loss.

 

[dorsetladette]

Sending healing vibes from little Robin to big Robin.

Please take the weight loss slowly. If you rush your likely to put it back on quickly (in my case plus some more).

Keep a note of all your questions for when the vet visits next. I tend to forget things when it comes to talking face to face.

Hopefully Robin will be more settled when your back up there later.

 

[doodle]

He is ever so good at throwing tantrums! Will be able to tell if actually upset by the state of his bed.

I have just spoken to crisis team, she can’t wait for home visits to restart so she can come and visit him ?