kgj66
Well-Known Member
I posted last week in vet section (http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=589208) about my horse who's been slightly lame for last 2 months.
Quick summary- she hadnt been 100% for couple weeks but I thought it was just her being unfit and no back shoes(had been removed when she had a few months rest) then she got noticeably worse- vet said 6/10 lame, bring to surgery for X-rays. Just before due to go she became very lame-abscess. 4 weeks in total for abscess to drain and 'heal', then burst through heel, drain again. Thought great, was just a deep abscess that was niggling at her for a few weeks before it hurt. Got hind shoes on- a lot happier but I still didn't think 100%. So took her back for X-rays, joints all fine-all that was found was circle of lighter bone density in pedal bone on same area as were abscess was. Vet advised 6 weeks more rest, should heal by itself. Not sure if caused by abscess or was there before abscess but as she was so lame when he first saw her and is getting better(currently only 1-2/lame) he said whatever is there is healing itself.
After speaking to friends and posting here I queried him asking could it be infection from abscess/ pedal osteitis/can farrier do anything to help to which he said could get pads on, and put her on antibiotics and bute in case there is any infection there, and bute because she might be sore if something going on in foot.
This all makes sense to me, but puzzled as to why he didn't suggest in first place. He is a reputable vet , works largely on racing scene- my mare is a t'bred so in my mind he should have seen many common t'bred problems. He was also very good with my last horse who was misdiagnosed by 2 other vets.
Problem is I'm just not fully satisfied with his answer- do I:
A) just get a second opinion and not mention anything to original vet- would feel bad about this as he has been very good up until now
B) ask him if he can investigate further now- not sure what else he could do though after X-rays?
C) get farriers advice, see what she is like after antibiotics and if no improvement in 2-3 weeks ask for further investigations.
Apologies for the length, just a bit confused. If money was no object I think I would go for second opinion but the thought of paying for more X-rays is awful if they aren't really necessary. Saying that she is insured and if needsbe I will go the ough that.
Any thoughts on this rambling post would be very much appreciated!!
Quick summary- she hadnt been 100% for couple weeks but I thought it was just her being unfit and no back shoes(had been removed when she had a few months rest) then she got noticeably worse- vet said 6/10 lame, bring to surgery for X-rays. Just before due to go she became very lame-abscess. 4 weeks in total for abscess to drain and 'heal', then burst through heel, drain again. Thought great, was just a deep abscess that was niggling at her for a few weeks before it hurt. Got hind shoes on- a lot happier but I still didn't think 100%. So took her back for X-rays, joints all fine-all that was found was circle of lighter bone density in pedal bone on same area as were abscess was. Vet advised 6 weeks more rest, should heal by itself. Not sure if caused by abscess or was there before abscess but as she was so lame when he first saw her and is getting better(currently only 1-2/lame) he said whatever is there is healing itself.
After speaking to friends and posting here I queried him asking could it be infection from abscess/ pedal osteitis/can farrier do anything to help to which he said could get pads on, and put her on antibiotics and bute in case there is any infection there, and bute because she might be sore if something going on in foot.
This all makes sense to me, but puzzled as to why he didn't suggest in first place. He is a reputable vet , works largely on racing scene- my mare is a t'bred so in my mind he should have seen many common t'bred problems. He was also very good with my last horse who was misdiagnosed by 2 other vets.
Problem is I'm just not fully satisfied with his answer- do I:
A) just get a second opinion and not mention anything to original vet- would feel bad about this as he has been very good up until now
B) ask him if he can investigate further now- not sure what else he could do though after X-rays?
C) get farriers advice, see what she is like after antibiotics and if no improvement in 2-3 weeks ask for further investigations.
Apologies for the length, just a bit confused. If money was no object I think I would go for second opinion but the thought of paying for more X-rays is awful if they aren't really necessary. Saying that she is insured and if needsbe I will go the ough that.
Any thoughts on this rambling post would be very much appreciated!!
