Stifle help!!!

[Emma1703]

Hi, please no nasty comments!

I’ve got an 11 year old cob, who is sadly retired already! She went lame in both hind legs Jan 2017, I had every test under the sun done but multiple vets and no one could find any rhyme or reason as to why she was lame. Due to the lameness being so subtle and her being comfortable just plodding round the field, I retired her, so she now lives out 24/7, and haven’t had any issues.
However, start of this week she looked very sore walking round the field and was walking very slowly, whereas she’s usually has no awareness of anyone’s personal space! I’ve had the vet out this morning who believes the issue is coming from her stifles (he thinks genetic). Can feel slight extension on her left stifle. We also noticed that she has started walking putting her heels down before her toes on her hind legs. He has recommended trying on her a bute a day to get her comfortable again.
I just wondered if anyone had anything similar with their horse? And how they kept them comfortable? Any supplements etc?

Thanks
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Read more at https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/genetic-stifle-issues.780341/#68MkxUAU3cyd4bbq.99

 

[Goldenstar]

Last year did they scan and X-ray looking for PSD ?
You want horses to land heel first that normal do you mean the fetlock is sinking lower than normal ?
Stifle pain often comes along after PSD .
Stifles are very very difficult to deal with .
Keeping the horse can a decent sizing dose of Bute will be the most cost effective way to manage the pain for a while .

 

[Emma1703]

Last year did they scan and X-ray looking for PSD ?
You want horses to land heel first that normal do you mean the fetlock is sinking lower than normal ?
Stifle pain often comes along after PSD .
Stifles are very very difficult to deal with .
Keeping the horse can a decent sizing dose of Bute will be the most cost effective way to manage the pain for a while .

She’s had a full body bone scan which came back clear, as well as all legs x rayed. She had her suspensory’s scanned and nerve blocked by two different vets which didn’t show anything/improve lameness.
Her lameness since retiring became so subtle that it was only really me/vets that could still notice it

 

[Goldenstar]

Then it’s likely to be the stifles .
It depends on budget there’s a drug called arthimid that can be injected into stifles and steroid can be used .

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

My old boy damaged his stifle. Bute worked to a point but was uncomfortable. We did not investigate due to his age and I know how he done it. We both then needed to retire shortly after. He looks sound living out and is happy. He pulls it every so often which we deal with Bute and then fine for a good while.