To scan or not to scan?

[Hollymav]

I don’t post on here very often but would value some opinions please as getting various advice from people around me and would appreciate some impartial points of view!

I have a Warmblood who is now 14 years old and can injure himself on fresh air!

He has a history of arthritis in the coffin joints and has also torn both the deep digital flexor tendons in front legs (many years ago) and he was a loss of use claim. Since then we have been in a routine where he is sound whilst ground is good, when it gets too hard he goes a bit footy, sometimes obviously lame (only required a short course of bute on a couple of occasions and then all ok again).

I only ever hack him when the ground is good and he lives a very pampered lifestyle. He went footy in February and since then it has been on and off, nothing major but just a little niggle there. Approx 6 weeks ago some swellings also came up just above fetlock, have done box rest, ice etc and he remained the same.

Had his jabs and teeth done this week and mentioned to the vet about his leg, trotted him up on hard ground and he was sound. Then the vet did a flexion test and he was lame after this. My opinions are very divided on them!!!

Vet has said there is swelling of the tendon sheath and tendon feels a bit hard so has left it to me to decide whether I want to scan or not but has explained everything – pros, cons, outcomes etc. I’m just so torn as to what to do.

This horse means the world to me and his purpose in life is to make me smile! I accepted many years ago that he was going to be a happy hacker and so long as he is happy then so am I. I’m not in anyway basing my opinion on the financial aspect, purely what is in his best interests.

Sorry for essay, thanks for reading and all opinions welcome!

 

[Maesfen]

I would scan, at least then you'd be nearer knowing the causes and be able to do something about it. If you don't scan it'll be like sticking a needle in a haystack whether you come up with the right result.

 

[Izzwizz]

Scan, definitely! At least you know what your dealing with for sure.

 

[monikirk]

go for a scan

 

[Birker2020]

Yes I would scan but like my previous reply to a poster about her horses sheared heels, you may have to go down the bute a day scenario if its not a tendon, and instead its coffin joint. My horse has moderate to severe arthritis in his coffin joint, I'm beginning to wonder just how many more years I will be able to 'squeeze' out of him. That makes me sound harsh, and heartless (and of course I'd keep him even if I couldn't ride) but its the true reflection of how I feel as I live for my competing.

My horse isn't right at the moment, yet he can have days where he's coffin joint problems are not even noticeable, other days when he looks unlevel from start to finish of a ride, and days when he rides so lovely and is totally sound (even for a vet examination) and then half an hour stood outside his stable on concrete and you walk him in an arc to go inside the stable and for a stride he is practically hopping as he's seized up. I now try to stick him on the walker for ten mins before I ride to loosen him off. I am expecting him to be quite footy today after meeting a new horse last night , mutually grooming each other for five minutes and then taking exception to it and slamming his foot on the concrete floor twice really hard, whilst squealing like a stallion.

I know that won't have done him any favours at all.

 

[Hollymav]

Thanks very much for your responses! I was swaying towards the scan route but had people telling me it was a waste of money. Am going to call vets next week and get him booked it. Thanks again for your help!