Thermal Imaging ??

[mariebx19]

Does anyone know of anyone that does equine thermal imaging around ayrshire?
My 6 year old has started showing signs of discomfort to being worked..again!

*He had started to refuse jumps and stumble after jumps (he loved jumping and would sometimes run into them when rider is going round)
*unwilling to move forward
*move his head up and down to his chest in trot
*not want to canter
*going up/down hills he stops every few steps and occasionally trys to bite *the last week or 2 of riding he would just stop and stand square (which he never really does) with back legs slightly under him
*cant keep back legs up long when picking them out
*always resting his back left leg

Had the vet out around a year ago because the way he would act and he said there was inflammation in his back left leg but didnt know why so gave him bute and a few weeks box rest and he did go perfectly fine after that for a good few months and since then has been on and off with the way he behaves to being worked.

So when the vet came i trotted him towards and away from the vet about 7 times,he had hoof testers and flexion test.The vet said he was short stepping and sore/stiff on his back left leg around the hock area or above,it was worse after the flexion test.He was on bute for just over a week to see how he went.He has only been ridden once since being on them and he never refused to move once but didnt canter on one rein so for now he is only being walked in hand and lunged lightly.

just wondering if anyone knows what it could be? What would be better-x-ray/scan/nerve blocks? could it be arthiritis? would he be better in or out of of work? What area should be x-rayd?

http://youtu.be/VqOOo-97Ig0?list=UU4osbTblM3OtsT9P1RPsNaA

 

[popsdosh]

Really for the vet to diagnose! I am afraid nobody on here can really help as they have not seen him and at least the vet has. Why dont you talk to vet about TI they may know somebody or feel its a waste of time.

 

[old hand]

I would get the vet back, your horse is obviously very uncomfortable. It could be many things but sounds like a bone spavin or similar to me. Don't ride him until you know what it is in case his behaviour escalates and because it hurts him. Turn him out as much as possible and keep him warm in case it is some sort of arthritis. make sure the vet allows enough time to examine him properly.

 

[Cgd]

i would suggest the vet investigates further as so far doesnt seem to have done much ?! short stepping, starting to stop at jumps and unwillingness to hold feet up could be suspensory ligament problem. Surely your vet need to begin with nerve blocks?

 

[mariebx19]

First time coming back on since writing this thread.Just thought id update.He was rested for a few weeks and had another vet out and she said he looked slightly uncomfortable on one rein but there was no lameness at all.Told me the best thing would be to bring him slowly back into work.He is turned out 24/7 but other than that i havent done much.Small lunging sessions.The first day,he didnt really want to work the right rein but he did.The other few times he has been great,working both reins.Also done join up once and he didnt really work the right rein.

 

[Fun Times]

I would be thinking sacroiliac joint or stifle from what you have described. Is he insured? If so I would be tempted to go to a decent horsepital for full work up. As for thermal imaging, my vet told me recently that it was an inaccurate diagnostic tool twenty years ago and has improved little since then. Incidentally, he wasnt just saying this to get money from me for diagnostics as he doesnt have the equipment so I would have had to go to a different vet in any case for that.

 

[mariebx19]

Vet said he was better and has no lameness so going to have him in light work for a few months and see how he is but he has got a bit fat (even has fat pads) so think the saddle might have been hurting him so will start ridden work when i get a new saddle and see how he is with that.