spavins - what next?

[digitalangel]

So my 20 year old mare was diagnosed with spavins in april. she was treated with 2x tildren and injections into each joint. 6 weeks after her first tildren she went lame again, and spent most of the summer not really doing anything. Then her stifle/patella started to look weak as well, so she had a weeks bute and another dose of tildren and i brought her back into work to strengthen the area. She seemed better but 2 months later shes short on her right hind again.

shes about halfway through her insurance for the claim of spavins - not sure where to go next? xrays show no bone spurs, just slight collapse/wear/tear of the joint expected of a horse of her age. So do inject again? bute and work for fusion? fusion surgury? retirement?

i have also added eggbars behind as instructed and she is on a joint supplement too.

going to call her vet tomorrow bt just don tknow what my options are so some advice would be much appreciated.

 

[karen.close]

My lad was diagnoised with this back in may along with a few other things after having a bone scan. He has had 2x tildren, 2 hock injections, weekly physio & Cortaflex. Unfortunatly we have now max'd out our 5k insurance and I have to say his toe drag on the right hock is worse. I'm now trying him on turmeric as it has had good reports and also devils claw.

In my lads case he has progressively got worse, the X-rays shown very mild changed no bone spurs and only in the one hock but I've struggled on and off getting him sound one min he is the next he isn't.

You can read and read as much as you like but the fact is you know your horse best. I'm trying all avenues first before I finally can say I'm defeated.

Magnetic boots are supposed to be good and I've just ordered. I've researched and researched supplements what are best and I'm of the opinion it's trial and error. I'll happily go through them all if it means he is sound and painfree.

 

[digitalangel]

thanks karen

after researching, it seems that the arthritis will degenerate to the point of fusion anyway which will make her painfree - but given her age not sure if is better to bute and work or cut out the middle man and go for fusion op..