Splint/lame? - Vet?

[Charlie77]

Any one had this? I have known many horses pick up splints but never showed lame, I have an un backed 4yo who recently threw a splint and is lame, he is booked to go in to the vets Tuesday. this is a front leg. I had a horse who broke in side and out side splint bones of a back leg but he was a lot lamer and his was due to a kick in the field.

Vets...now if you rang your vet asking to bring in a lame horse how difficult is it to book an opointment allowing enough time for nerve blocks ect?? so far I have fallen out with reception twice, they seem to think its normal for him to come in for a first consult then come back for further investigation, why?? I know hes lame I don't need a vet to confirm it and tell me to come back, I know he lame I want it investigated! this is also a leg he had an injury on last year with a claim that will run out in 3 weeks, hence I want the splint looked at and either confirmed as a problem or ruled out. I fear im going to have the same row with them again on Monday as last thing Friday the rang asking to put my time back half hour feel like im banging my head on a brick wall. never had this before but last time I had a lame horse I was using a different vets,.

Many Thanks

 

[TGM]

When we've had a lame horse needing investigation, we've taken the horse in and had examination, nerve blocks and X-rays all in one session. What vets are you using?

 

[Puddleduck]

Mine managed to knock himself a splint in front hooning in the field. Was very sore on it so I rang my vet and popped him up to them for an opinion.
They did a lameness examination and x-rayed there and then which is exactly what I would expect a vet to do. Not make you come back for a second visit and presumably second examination fee?

 

[wench]

There's no way I'd be expecting the horse to go twice into the surgery. If they really wanted to see the horse they could go see it at home. Sounds like they just want two loads of examination fees out of you.

I'd ring again on Monday and ask for an appointment for the tests as your insurance runs out in three weeks and needs doing ASAP.

If they won't do it I'd ring around other vet hospitals and find one that will

 

[Red-1]

I would call back and confirm that there will be a full investigation. If not, then I would go to another vet.

I can understand them wanting to be sure it needs investigating before making the appointment, as he may well look at it and say "Yes, it is a splint." and give treatment, meanwhile they have turned another customer away. But, in your case I can see why you would want the old injury re-scanning or whatever to ensure it is stable, due to the insurance running out in 3 weeks.

Our vets book you in and do the lot. When Jay went in, first visit, he had a full exam, including tears (not obligatory), flexions, lungeing and riding (he was not very lame), then scans, X rays, and finally a shockwave treatment. We were there all day as we had to fit in round other clients (including an emergency colic surgery!), but I would rather have it all done and dusted in one go TBH.

Ours is a 5 hour round trip if you hit traffic, I would not be keen to do it twice for no reason to benefit the horse!

This is also a reason I have now cancelled the insurance, as I don't like the way treatments have to be slung at the horse in that 12 months, where a more conservative approach may be best. Even if it is a different injury, you may find that the whole leg is excluded after the previous injury. So, even with a new injury it must at least be diagnosed this 3 weeks.

ETA I have known horses be lame with a splint, but cold hose and rest has brought them right. Fingers crossed this is all it is!

 

[Fiona]

Our pony was lame recently due to a banged old splint..When we went to vets he had examination and xrays, went home with a course of bute and an appt for ten days time when nerve blocks were to be carried out...

Fiona