Routine X-Rays (Precautionary)

[AlpacaTeddySJ]

Hello again!

After my many posts about mismatched front hooves I have decided to get some x-rays done whilst he is at the hospital having his wolf teeth out. Was planning a lateral x-ray and a back-to-front on both fronts so that I can pass them on to my trimmer so we can decide how they can be best trimmed!

My question is regarding routine x-rays at this point. Obviously the initial plate is the most costly and my vets charge £24 for each additional plate, now I don’t want to throw money for nothing but is it worth having other major joints x-rayed at this point?

I was potentially considering the rear feet and hocks (for ocd etc) just as a precautionary measure before he is lightly backed later on this year.

I should add he’s a perfectly healthy and sound 3yr old (April 2019), and these would be for my own piece of mind going forward.

Would you consider x-rays in any other areas? TIA

 

[ihatework]

If the horse is insured then I definitely wouldn’t because if there is something found, but with little to clarify the clinical significance you will likely run into problems in the future.

 

[AlpacaTeddySJ]

If the horse is insured then I definitely wouldn’t because if there is something found, but with little to clarify the clinical significance you will likely run into problems in the future.

This is true, however if something was to show up I’d rather know sooner than later! I’m considering cancelling insurance as it just seems to be a super rip-off!

 

[AlpacaTeddySJ]

If the horse is insured then I definitely wouldn’t because if there is something found, but with little to clarify the clinical significance you will likely run into problems in the future.

This is true, however if something was to show up I’d rather know sooner than later! I’m considering cancelling insurance as it just seems to be a super rip-off!

Further to this, I suppose I am just now very keen to do my best by him since I'd like him to be with me and out competing (i hope) well into his 20s, he has a forever home here. I know RE the insurance it can be best to wait for something to go 'wrong' and then investigate, but I have been burned by this and now have a horse, who if investigated earlier on, would be in a much better situation than he is in now!

Plus, a lot of people do x-rays as part of a Pre-Purchase Exam anyway! I didn't do this as he was just two yrs.

I should add, currently his 'front legs' are excluded because of his feet, since they were pretty long at the vetting and had some flare, therefore the insurance company decided it was a great way out, hence why I shall probably be cancelling and putting money in a pot....

So, should I consider front feet, hocks, stifles, fetlocks etc?

 

[Melody Grey]

In my case I think it would lead to paranoia. Feet x rays for trimming are useful, particularly if you have mismatched fronts, but I wouldn’t be too worried about compensatory bone changes in an unworked youngster (assuming that’s what you’d be looking for?)

it would be hard to tell whether the results of the x-rays would be of any clinical significance in the future other than for comparison?

ETA: re vetting x-rays, I think most people are interested in backs more than hocks, unless the horse is high mileage or jumped heavily, giving reason to suspect problems.

 

[AlpacaTeddySJ]

In my case I think it would lead to paranoia. Feet x rays for trimming are useful, particularly if you have mismatched fronts, but I wouldn’t be too worried about compensatory bone changes in an unworked youngster (assuming that’s what you’d be looking for?)

it would be hard to tell whether the results of the x-rays would be of any clinical significance in the future other than for comparison?

ETA: re vetting x-rays, I think most people are interested in backs more than hocks, unless the horse is high mileage or jumped heavily, giving reason to suspect problems.

True. Wasn't so much for compensatory, but for just general stuff, I know a lot of warmbloods get OCD chips etc that don't usually get diagnosed until ridden work starts and they go lame etc.

I don't have any suspicions at all, so I suppose I would just be doing it for peace of mind for when he does start doing work later on.

 

[ycbm]

If money was no object I would do hocks, stifles, knees, back and neck for all the reasons you mention.
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