LouiseG
Well-Known Member
Just wondered if anyone had any experiences they would like to share
My boy had a work up yesterday and is bilaterally lame in both stifles, as well as mild spavin in his right hock (x-ray was clear on the left) from a bad kick as a 4 year old, hes 6 now. Looking back the signs have been there for months, but it was always put down to a training issue, or a weakness which makes me feel very upset thinking I could have done something sooner.
X-rays were all clear which was not a surprise. The vet is sure its a soft tissue problem within the joints and that arthroscopy would be the best option as it could be something very simple to fix with a good prognosis, even a middle of the road case could see us back in full work in 6 months, or it could be something horrendous of course, but we wont know for sure unless they get a camera in there and have a good look around. They have said they could treat conservatively with steroids/med, the inflammation would probably go and he would probably be sound but the vet said usually these problems come back in a year or 2 and the damage by then could be worse and hed need surgery anyway (and of course my insurance would then be null and void). Can anyone share any experiences and if you went for the arthroscopy or conservative treatment and what the outcome was? I'm trying to stay positive but it is impossible! xx
X-rays were all clear which was not a surprise. The vet is sure its a soft tissue problem within the joints and that arthroscopy would be the best option as it could be something very simple to fix with a good prognosis, even a middle of the road case could see us back in full work in 6 months, or it could be something horrendous of course, but we wont know for sure unless they get a camera in there and have a good look around. They have said they could treat conservatively with steroids/med, the inflammation would probably go and he would probably be sound but the vet said usually these problems come back in a year or 2 and the damage by then could be worse and hed need surgery anyway (and of course my insurance would then be null and void). Can anyone share any experiences and if you went for the arthroscopy or conservative treatment and what the outcome was? I'm trying to stay positive but it is impossible! xx