Vet help pls - Severity of Spavin/OCD

[Llwyncwn]

Hi guys

My big lad has today been diagnosed with this and Im hoping to go to the clinic and see the x-rays for myself tomorrow. Can anyone explain the severity of this to me :

Tarsal Metatarsal - Changes almost fused.
Distal Intertarsal - Extreme changes.
Proximal Intertarsal - Severe changes.
Tarsal Crural - Mild changes.

Four plates were taken of his n/s hock only. There is also quite a lot of inflamation too. Equine vets say that the arthritic damage is severe and at 6 years old there is nothing that can be done. He is 18.3hh Shire x.

A friend on fb has been telling me that two of her horses have severe spavin along with arthritis in hips and front legs and she is showing at county level and competing dressage. Although this sounds like a lifeline being thrown this way, is it really possible that Barney could have a future? I am reasonably well read on spavin of the two lower joints and their fusion, along with the various treatments available, but this is a bit out of my depth.

Can anyone help/advise?

 

[Foxfolly]

Not sure about a spavin but my boy had bilateral OCD in his stifles before I got him, he was quite old for an OCD diagnosis as he was 8. But he had the op and a textbook recovery, he is sound and has been ever since (Now 14) and is jumping and eventing. He would probably be a lighter weight horse than yours but he is still nearly 17hh, he's ISH x Holstein

Just make sure you have a very good equine vet so that you know he's getting the best possible care.

Good luck and I hope he does make a good recovery!

 

[Halfstep]

I'm afraid this is severe, because all the joints that make up the hock are affected. The metatarsal and intertarsal joints are the ones associated with spavin - these are low motion joints and can fuse. But usually it is only one of these joints which suffers from arthritis. Your poor horse has it throughout in all three.

The tarsalcrural (or tibiotarsal) is the upper joint, which cannot fuse as it provides the motion for the flexing of the hock. THis is where OCD is usually found. If this joint is badly damaged, there is really not much that can be done. The vets can clean out the joint through surgery (arthroscopic), but the damage is already there.

Injections can hep with the pain and inflammation. IRAP is another technique that vets might recommend. HOwever, the extent of the arthritis is worrying, especially in a horse so young.

Anyway, here is a good article on the hock and its problems:
http://www.hoofcare.com/article_pdf/HoofcareClaytonHock.pdf

For what its worth, my dressage horse has had an OCD chip out of his hock and has a nasty looking bog spavin as a result. He is 100% sound at the moment. But he doesn't have arthritis or changes elsewhere.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply.

Hello again Halfstep

Thanks for the link, very interesting reading, even if I did have to read it 3 times, it has given me a much better understanding of the mechanics of the hock.

I have this morning studied Barney's x-rays with his vet in depth. Although she said that one of the possible options was Tildren, she personally didnt rate it but would be happy to do this if I wanted. IRAP wasnt mentioned, but I will ask her about this.

After a long discussion we have decided that the only hope of making him more comfortable, and in the hope of slowing down the degeneration of the Tarso Crural joint which has mild changes atm, is to medicate with steroids and Adequan. Three other horses on the yard have had this treatment, one of which has worked.

The lower joints have almost fused and in time when they completely fuse, he will be much more comfortable.
Lots of turnout is recommended and she has agreed that as B is so obviously thrilled to go out on a ride, gentle exercise at his own pace would be ok.

As long as he is happy and painfree, all I want is for him to have as many enjoyable experiences in whatever time he has left. He is in no way depressed and just wants to play and groom his pals for most of the day. He is still thundering around his field and putting in some spectacular bucks.

All being well, he is going into clinic next weekend and will have both hocks x-rayed and then medicated. Fingers crossed that this treament will work for my little Bear.

 

[Halfstep]

Fingers crossed for him.

The jury is out on IRAP, studies show it is good for preventative but not so great with existing arthritis.

Adequan is great stuff! I am a huge adequan fan.