Severe fetlock arthritis

[GrecianDawn]

During bone chip removal from fetlock joint it was noted that horse has high-level osteoarthritis. X-rays show bone cyst on metacarpal bone (fetlock area) and visible loss of cartilage. Horse was treated with IRAP, 3 injections in a week. Two months after horse is severly lame in trot, and is living in a field as a retired horse. Neighbour’s horse had IRAP done and it took 6 injections over 2 months. Horse is sound. I need some serious talk now. Do you think 3 injections in a week is not enough for the horse? Do you think I should try to do a full IRAP course with my neighbour’s vet? And what do you think about Tildren and Arthramid? Would you try that or IRAP first? Or would you just quit? Horse is only 10! Thanks all!

 

[Lovely jubbly]

My horse was diagnosed with fetlock arthritis in one foot and a pulled collateral in other foot about 6 months ago,3 months box now 3 months paddock. Had jel injected into the joint and has had course of cartrophen,and will have a cartrophen every two months until December then again 4 months later. Having a trot up in October. Vet has advised to carry on with cartrophen injections possibly twice a year or possibly once a year depending on how she goes. Was told Tilden wouldn’t work and to go down the cartrophen route instead. I was concerned with the side affects of Tilden as some horses can colic after.
Horse at the yard has an inoperable cyst in his foot he’s had Tilden and it has worked he’s sound again but it did take a while to work..she was advised that cartrophen wouldn’t work for him.

 

[GrecianDawn]

Do you mean gel by jel? And if yes, do you know the name of the product? I think in my case Tildren was advised because of the cyst, and probably in hopes of filling/resolving the cyst. I will talk to my vet about Cartrophen. I’m just so lost, so many options and opinions, don’t know where to start. Thank you for your reply and suggestions!

 

[Lovely jubbly]

Yes sorry gel ? she had polyacrylamide gel into joint. If there’s enough left on my insurance I’m going to have the gel done again in April. I’ve seen the other horse owner tonight her horse is having another Tilden done in November to keep him going…other one was 6 months ago.

 

[GrecianDawn]

Yes sorry gel ? she had polyacrylamide gel into joint. If there’s enough left on my insurance I’m going to have the gel done again in April. I’ve seen the other horse owner tonight her horse is having another Tilden done in November to keep him going…other one was 6 months ago.

Heheh that is what I thought! I’ll definitely do Arthramid gel, that is for sure. Only remaining questions is whether to do IRAP or not.

 

[Lovely jubbly]

I’m saving IRAP as a last resort fingers crossed what we’ve already done is working. The cartrophen is great notices after a couple of days the difference not cheap though cost me £750 for the first course then it will work out around £160 each injection after that as my horse needs a full vile…and she’s not so good with needles so I need the vet to inject…I was worried if I hurt her we’d never get near her again. I’ve also started her on pharmaquin joint supplement great stuff.

 

[GrecianDawn]

I’m saving IRAP as a last resort fingers crossed what we’ve already done is working. The cartrophen is great notices after a couple of days the difference not cheap though cost me £750 for the first course then it will work out around £160 each injection after that as my horse needs a full vile…and she’s not so good with needles so I need the vet to inject…I was worried if I hurt her we’d never get near her again. I’ve also started her on pharmaquin joint supplement great stuff.

Thankfully my horse is a saint for injections. My horse is on Cortaflex from Equine America, and since he’s been sitting in the pasture I don’t really know if it is helping. Thank you once again.