Running out of ideas...

[Marchtime]

So as some of you are aware Jesper has collateral ligament damage. He has chronic wear particularly in his right fore. He was diagnosed after an MRI a year or so ago. He had already been off work so we turned him away for a further six months and have since brought him back in to work. The problem is we can't seem to keep him sound. He initially had steriod injections in to the joint followed by shockwave therapy. The vet was happy with his progress and he was sound for six months or so however over the last few months he has been intermittently lame. Not hoping lame, but nonetheless lame. After consultation with the vet we tried a short course of bute, some time off and then a decreased workload (only hacking, no circle work). He was previously doing some light schooling (think prelim level).
Now I feel so frustrated because we went down tonight and he is lame. I'm sure he's been an idiot in the field and jarred himself up but it's beginning to feel like we can't keep him sound for more than a few weeks at a time. I'm going to phone the vets monday and have a long chat about possibilities but we're out of insurance and when I last spoke to the vet he seemed out of ideas.
Jesper is only 10yrs old so I'm desperate to get him sound even if it is only hacking and prelim schooling.
Ideas from anyone. He is shod by an excellent remedial farrier, is on pernamax... Can't think of anything else.
Any information about IRAP also appreciated.
Sorry for the long post.

 

[stranger1612]

I would advise considering a neurectomy, it comes with potential complications but there are plenty of horses who have a significantly prolonged athletic career. Otherwise you have a pasture ornament.

 

[MrsMozart]

So sorry to hear it's going on. I had a year of it, on-off lameness, but at the time I didn't know what it was. The neurectomy is between £1500 and £2000: it's where the nerve is cut. Note: the nerve can grow back in x number of years. If they're suited to the op, a lot of horses come back to either light work or full work. My horse very quickly got to the stage where she could not stale properly, she couldn't take the weight on her off-hind

She was only four, but had crhronic damage. Sue Dyson at the Animal Health Trust at Newmarket is the recognised expert.

 

[Flame_]

Sorry to hear this.

I've no ideas what to suggest, it does sound like you've done all you can. The de-nerving idea is interesting though. I hope your vet can come up with something for you.

 

[Marchtime]

Thank you for the ideas. I don't think I can face the thought of putting him through the op. He has other issues as well (old hind suspensory injury, prone to colic, and other issues with his feet) so I think for him it wouldn't be the right thing. I'm concerned if I went ahead with the neurectomy his other fore leg would give out. Also I don't think he'd cope with the box rest. But thank you, at least I know I've tried most things.
MrsMozart - I do agree about Sue Dyson. She diagnosed Sammy with a tear in his collateral ligament over five years ago. He was one of the key horses in her initial research. I might see whether my vet can make some initial contact with her. But for now it looks like he'll be a well loved field ornament who ventures out for the odd stroll.