Scintigraphy Hip hotspot update - Old Fracture :-(

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GermanyJo

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spoken to the vet .. is bad news :-( ... it is an old fracture next to the hip , very clear to see. We are presuming by old , this has happened when he was a 2 or 3 year old (he is rising 7) .. Due to the length of time this has been going on, there is little that can be done. I have 2 choices, either put him down now , or put him out in the field for 8 -12 months and then try again with him with a 10-20% chance that he may come right.
He had 4 months holiday in 2013 which did not help, so I am not very hopeful that this is going to be successful, but I simply cannot bring myself to put him down immediately. He is such a nice 'person' .. he was/is my dream horse, it is breaking my heart :-(

I am picking him up tomorrow and the vet has said he will create a CD with the X rays so I can take home for reference. If I can manage it , I will try to add a picture of the fracture on here if anyone is interested.

has anyone any experience with a similar injury ? I would be interested to hear any experience, good or bad ....
 
Didn't want to read and run, but no constructive advice I am afraid, as I thankfully haven't had to deal with anything like this.

Hugs for you both :-(
 
For anyone who is interested ... here are the X rays
Chaplinfracture_zpsd661cd33.png
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Chaplinfracture2_zps127af6e8.png
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A lot of racehorses get pelvic fractures in various places and come back to race again not a problem. We had one who broke off the point of both sides of his hips - in 2 separate incidents - and just finished his racing career aged 11 having had no further problems with his hips (but numerous other problems with his front legs, he was basically a walking vets textbook!)

Most of these horses became technically squint or fractionally technically lame but they do carry on to live full, active lives.

If you have the time, funds and will power personally I would do as the vets suggest - punt him out for at least 6months in a field to chill, relax and settle his muscles and then bring him back into work slowly. Always being conscious of that old injury, keeping an eye on it with a good physio and backing off and going back a slight step if things get to much before moving forwards again. Your lad is still young and growing, there is a chance you can come to an agreement with this old injury.

You know your horse best.
 
EKW said:
A lot of racehorses get pelvic fractures in various places and come back to race again not a problem. We had one who broke off the point of both sides of his hips - in 2 separate incidents - and just finished his racing career aged 11 having had no further problems with his hips (but numerous other problems with his front legs, he was basically a walking vets textbook!)

Most of these horses became technically squint or fractionally technically lame but they do carry on to live full, active lives.

If you have the time, funds and will power personally I would do as the vets suggest - punt him out for at least 6months in a field to chill, relax and settle his muscles and then bring him back into work slowly. Always being conscious of that old injury, keeping an eye on it with a good physio and backing off and going back a slight step if things get to much before moving forwards again. Your lad is still young and growing, there is a chance you can come to an agreement with this old injury.

You know your horse best.
Click to expand...

thanks for that EKW ... I brought him home today and think I have decided to give him a chance, will give him at least 8 months off, check him . if he is looking ok, am going to give him a full 12 months off.
As you said, he is still young and feel that he deserves a chance
 
Oh no - how awful for you both.

Fwiw I think you are doing the right thing, summer is coming and he is a young horse, everything crossed for you.
 
Sorry it wasn't better news. Think it's gotta be worth turning away and seeing if that long rest helps. Fingers crossed for you both.
 
My NF fractured his hip (broke the top of the socket) as a 3 year old. 6 months complete box rest, he completely wasted away on one side & dragged his right hind along for nearly a year. I wasn't convinced he'd ever come right. Lots of physio & taking things very slowly and...
He's now 11 and competing Novice dressage! He recently had a gamma scan as he was struggling a bit which revealed he has(expected) changes to the joint. Had a cortisone injection into the hip and off we went again😊
I feed him Turmeric & Maxaflex, use Boswellia when he's worked hard. I have to keep him in regular daily work, no more than 2 x week in the school with lots of hacking, hill work & schooling on hacks. He's a bit wonky but we regularly get 8s(especially for his walk) so it can't be too noticeable!
Good Luck & stay positive, horses can overcome the most challenging injuries with the correct treatments, rehab & management x
 
Sorry to hear your news Germanyjo, I really was hoping for a better outcome for you. Take heart from the positive posts above, its amazing what a bit of time off in the sunshine can do. Best of luck with him and let us know how he gets on.
 
I bought my mare 2 years ago as a 6 yr old who had not done much and had been through many homes. Initially everything went well and then she started bucking in canter! I took her to the vet and she had fractured her left ileal wing! She had 6 weeks box rest followed by a rehab programme. She is now level on the pelvis and working well. Do not give up hope yet.
 
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