Stifle problem

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lornaA

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My mare had been having problems with her back end for a few month now. I suspected the worst and and thought her back end was hoinv as she is 20 and does have arthritis jn a few joints already. She has had the vet out 3 times now. First they suspected torn ligaments in her stifle but now after being on 24 hour turn out to keep her moving and trusting her on pain killers she is still sore. Initially she wouldn't let vet touch her stifle area at all but the vet was back out yesterday and she allowed the vet to give a right good examination and we have come to the conclusion that its a locking patella. We have decided to start gentle exercise in hand to try and strengthen the surrounding muscles as she hasn't good muscle tone as she is retired due to her other ailments. This should help stop the patella sticking locked on. We haven't xrayed as its not really a very easy area to get an X-ray plate into. Has anyone any experience of this sort of problem. We want to do our best for her but at the moment appreciate that we can put her through the next winter if we can't get her well enough.
 
I agree it isn't the easiest place to x-ray but my horse recently had an accident resulting in a wound to her stifle. Vets managed to x-ray it fine but took two people plus me holding her in case are moved despite sedation.
So I would have thought that if you have concerns with how she's recovering with the plan you mentioned I would suggest x-ray could be done to rule any boney problems out.
Hope that helps.
 
I agree it isn't the easiest place to x-ray but my horse recently had an accident resulting in a wound to her stifle. Vets managed to x-ray it fine but took two people plus me holding her in case are moved despite sedation.
So I would have thought that if you have concerns with how she's recovering with the plan you mentioned I would suggest x-ray could be done to rule any boney problems out.
Hope that helps.
 
Did the X-rays turn out ok quality wise? I assume you have to hold the X-ray plate very high up between the back legs? I think my vet was worried that the quality of the X-ray would be poor as its not an easy area to get access to.
 
Yeah it's defo awkward & sedation is a must but its do-able. Yes 2 out of 3 were good enough to rule out boney injury.
 
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