Update - spavins

S

sikaran

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 May 2006
Messages
540
Location
Northern England
Visit site
After being diagnosed with spavins in both hocks my horse had cortisone injections in both joints about 10 days ago. She has also been shod with raised heels behind. Is it too early to say whether the treatment has worked? In my opinion she doesn't seem any better, and I just wonder if I am being unduly pessimistic. Any input/ experiences gratefully received.
 
Two of mine had their hocks medicated last year with no effect. Both were on Cosequin. One of them has just had her first hock operated on to fuse it, she is due for the second hock op in two weeks.

It is a low percentage of horses who respond to the hock medication, even those who do will have to have the same treatment again. IF the treatment works, it can last from 3 months to a year and is not meant to be permanent, just to help until natural fusing takes place, if and when it does.

Fingers crossed your your mare.
 
My horse was diagnosed with bone spavin in o/s hind worse and n/s hind also in Nov last year. He had xrays to determine the damage whcih fortunately was mild. I put him on a joint supplement with MSM as MSM is very good for mild bone spavin. Equine America 10,000mg Glucosamine and MSM at £14.99 a tub can last for 3 months at full dose. He received injections into the jont and was also given Tildren by IV which was very expensive £350.00-£400.00 a time, but meant to be very good. I gradually introduced him back into work. He was allowed to be turned out during his treatment which really helped. He then had another joint injection but has not been on pain relief. Unfortunately whilst coming back into work other issues have come up and he is reacting badly to ridden work but the vet and physio believe this is to do with overcompensation of muscles due to the pain he used to feel in his back legs. He is not lame but very sore when girthed. His strides are really good and his paces are floatier which I believe is due to the Tildren. He has much more elevation and is sounder now than he has ever been. He is also remedially shod with lateral extensions by an excellent farrier and if you are Midlands based I can give you his name. The vet has already commented how the horse walks differently (to the better) with the lateral extension shoeing which he has had twice now. I would ask your vet if your horse can have Tildren as the side effects are very slight compared to the benefits, but it is not suitable for all horses so you need to seek advice. Bails is having Tildren again in May as a top up before the claim runs out.
 
My mare also failed to respond to the cortisone. Have you spoken to your vet? I notice you are in Northern England - whereabouts?

I'm having this new treatment which I mentioned on your last post & my big mare is making good progress.
smile.gif
 
I'm near Newcastle and my vets are Bearl Equine. They are coming out to re-examine the mare at the end of the week. My mare is not insured but I am prepared to spend more on her as she was so good prior to this problem, and it is proving very difficult trying to find something to replace her. Pleased your mare is making good progress Mayflower - long may it continue
smile.gif
 
My pony was checked by vet 2 weeks after injection in one hock and was 'virtually' sound - you could just see it if he didn't work properly on the lunge but vet was happy enough for him to start gentle work without bute. He also has lateral extensions and is on Synequin.

I've got no idea how long this will work - just keeping my fingers crossed and will keep them crossed for your mare too.
 
The aim of the cortisone is to just reduce inflammation, and may also interfere with cartilage and mediate fusion of the tarsal bones - which long term is really what needs to be done if they continue to get worse. Tildren is good at inhibiting osteoclasts (the cells that reform bone) and is licensed for use in bone spavin. But whatever the treatment, it is going to take a lot lot longer than 10days im afraid...sorry! Good luck
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm near Newcastle and my vets are Bearl Equine. They are coming out to re-examine the mare at the end of the week. My mare is not insured but I am prepared to spend more on her as she was so good prior to this problem, and it is proving very difficult trying to find something to replace her. Pleased your mare is making good progress Mayflower - long may it continue
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, ok - just wondered if you were near me & could get a referral for the same treatment my mare is having. Maybe worth a mention to vet if the steroid is not working? Is Ethyl Alcohol treatment to fuse the joint. (But as I say, pretty new.)
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top