Steroid Injections in Hocks - Advise/experience?

[Lippyx]

Hi all. A few weeks ago my horse was diagnosed with arthritic changes in both hocks. The vets wanted him to lose a few kilos before they done any injections (he had slight lami last year) Its been 3 weeks and he had lost approx. 12kg and is looking OK (not as plump as he has been).
I'm going through insurance, and know I only have a year to claim for the injections, but I'm not sure what to expect? He is 10 years old, leads a semi-active life (western ridden, so no jumping etc.) he isn't stiff and rides well (only when the farriers trims feet, do you realise something isn't right).

What can I expect from the injections... how long do they last, how regularly would he need them, how much do they cost after the insurance runs out?

I'm waiting to speak to the vet about the options, but wanted to see if anyone else has any experience with them?

 

[ester]

It totally depends, some react very well to them, and get a good 6 months relief, some don't improve at all and some only get 2-3 months out of them. Can't tell until you try.
They aren't particularly expensive though I can't remember what I paid as a few years ago now- we saw a significant long lasting improvement, though we skipped the xrays.

 

[Laafet]

Mine has had them since he was 8 years old and he's now 16. Usually it is annually, but sometimes shorter or longer. His one hock has totally fused now so doesn't need doing any more and the other one is fine at the moment so we have left it for now. I pay about £160 for the injections, he hates it being done now so we have to resedate him after doing the first leg. In the time he has had them he has gone from doing no dressage to Medium level and jumping competitively. It massively improves his quality of life so was happy to do it until nature took it cause and fused the joint.

 

[Lippyx]

Mine has had them since he was 8 years old and he's now 16. Usually it is annually, but sometimes shorter or longer. His one hock has totally fused now so doesn't need doing any more and the other one is fine at the moment so we have left it for now. I pay about £160 for the injections, he hates it being done now so we have to resedate him after doing the first leg. In the time he has had them he has gone from doing no dressage to Medium level and jumping competitively. It massively improves his quality of life so was happy to do it until nature took it cause and fused the joint.

Thanks for the info. So when the hock joint fuses, how does that affect him? I've yet to see the x-rays, but vet said both hocks on the outside are affected. I think its been caused by confirmation (quite straight hocked), as I'm had him since he was backed, and I rarely done anything fast or strenuous to cause injury.

 

[Laafet]

Once the hocks are fused, then they feel no more discomfort. It doesn't affect range of movement etc.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks for the info. So when the hock joint fuses, how does that affect him? I've yet to see the x-rays, but vet said both hocks on the outside are affected. I think its been caused by confirmation (quite straight hocked), as I'm had him since he was backed, and I rarely done anything fast or strenuous to cause injury.

It probably was caused by his conformation, it probably wasn't anything you done and its extremely common, so don't worry to much.
His weight will affect his arthritis, he needs to be as light as possible. Same as our dog with arthritis, less weight on the joints the better.. whats his body score? Baring in mind steriods usually don't help with weight loss, the opposite effect.

My vet said to my old mare they should be done yearly, but depends how bad the arthritis is and how well the horse is coping. Its hard to say.. even so, some are not done again, or done every few years, a friend had a thoroughbred and he was injected twice yearly.
I just had my other horses injected and it was around £80 per hock, plus sedation and visit so not too expensive I don't think. If hes doing well, leave it until he needs them.

 

[eggs]

One of mine had his hocks injected in April of last year. He had very mild arthritic changes in one hock. I have to say I was a little sceptical but they made a HUGE difference. So far he has not had to have them redone (vet assessed him a few weeks ago and was happy with him). He is working at advanced dressage and does a little jumping. If it came to him needing them doing again I would certainly do so.

I do think each horse is different so it isn't possible to give a definitive answer to your questions.

I waited nearly a year after the x-rays were taken as I wanted to get as much weight off him as possible as he had had a very mild lami episode the previous year. The clock starts ticking from when the vet first saw the horse (or from when you noticed symptoms if that was earlier).

 

[Goldenstar]

It’s extremely variable , I had lots of experience of these injections so I would say from every twelve weeks to three years of completely sound quite high level work .
It really depends on the horse .
Keeping him as slim as possible will help a lot .

 

[spacefaer]

We've had a couple of older horses done. We've found them to be most effective when done sooner rather than later - so when you first think about, rather than when it's affecting performance.
The only caveat I would add was that the relief the horse feels in pain-free, easier movement in the hocks can put strain on the front limb joints.
The last one we had done, had his hocks done first, which worked really well, and the next season, he then had injections in front fetlocks and hocks. He was brilliant afterwards, but it only lasted 4 months, as he is an elderly high mileage big lad. He's now hacking and not hunting!

Cost depends on whether you have HA (hyaluronic acid) in the injection as well - that's pricier. It makes the injection more effective. However, we've found a cost-effective solution to be to inject the 1st time without it and the 2nd time with it.

 

[Shay]

I've used this as pretty much routine with comeptition horses and had our first hunter done last year (am about to repeat). We've always had good results. But lami is a known side effect and I've never used it in a horse which has had lami before. That would make me think. But if the lami was becuase he was a bit overweight bringing his weight right down will help avoid the risk.