Which Test/Examination etc for Vet??

[Mahoganybay]

Hi all, hoping for some help.

Bit of background, 8 year old Standardbred mare i have owned for 4 years, fractured nearside hind pedal bone 3 years ago, was on complete box rest for 9 months, then sent to rehab livery as she had locking stifles on both back legs, brought back into work slowly and although weak behind was not lame or seemed to be in pain.

Have moved to new yard with an indoor school and have started asking abit more of her now and her health appears to have gone downhill, displaying the following behaviours:

1. Ears back & trying to bite when putting on saddle (saddle checked by 2 independant saddlers informed saddle fits well).
2. Ears back and trying to bite the bit when putting on her bridle (teeth done every 6 months - all ok).
3. Feels very uneven behind, although not lame.
4. Holding tail slightly to the left and wont lift her tail up, clamps it down.
5. Grunts when pooing & weeing.
6. Puts ears back when asking for upward transition.
7. Squeals and hollows when asking for canter and then goes into a pace.
8. Dipping and buckling on inside hind leg in walk.
9. Can hear a clicking/popping noise when she moves from her neck & hip areas.
10. Swollen lower inside hind leg when stabled and very stiff movement, rests this leg all the time.

Now, all this screams 'back issues' to me and possibly something going on in her fetlock, the vet is coming to see her on Monday, following their initial appraisal of her is there any tests i should be asking for, she is insured, i am thinking full lameness work-up, scans, x-rays etc.

Any advise gratefully received.

 

[much-jittering]

I agree with you, following what vet think when they initially see her, a full lameness work up seems to the next logical step. What will actually be required depends on what the vet thinks, they may have to do nerve blocking etc if you're concerned about a particular fetlock but I agree with you, it sounds very much like it's all going to be a lot higher up, particularly the middle things on that list. I'd want to have her back/pelvis etc thoroughly looked at - but to be honest if you have a good equine vet be guided by them, as they can see the horse where people on here can't.

Hope you can get to the bottom of it all.

 

[why1040]

That sounds like a back issue to me too with a probably unrelated issue to the leg that's swelling.

Depending on your vet, I'd get an equine physio/chiro/osteo out to look at the back as that's what they specialise in (which one you choose depends heavily on what's available that's good in your local area, I've had at least one of each and loved each one, and one of each that I didn't)

If the swelling is in the leg that broke (sorry, I can't remember what you said in your OP, my brain is fogging this afternoon) then it may just be that that's something you have to manage in future. As long as it settles on moving it shouldn't be too bad, I've met lots of horses that just fill a bit overnight.

Edited to add: I think your vet will be the best person to decide which tests to do (told you my brain is foggy today), but sometimes vet finds nothing specific while "back person" of whatever flavour can find things that improve the comfort of the horse markedly