WWYD: arthritis in a youngish horse

[Cinnamontoast]

Also in Tackroom.

So creature had x rays to discover arthritic changes in his right hock last autumn. He's fine on the straight, fine to school and hack. However, he comes up lame occasionally. He had a course of Adequan which seemed to help. However, I saw the same vet consistently and anytime the horse has been lame, he's recommended box rest and glucosamine but never given bute.

Speaking to other vets and equine technician friends, they're surprised a cortisone injection into the joint wasn't recommended. Another professional has advised bute daily, I think when needed as opposed to daily. The horse is 11 and ridden lightly three times a week. He came in crippled yesterday having been hooning madly He had bute which I borrowed from a friend.

So, do I ask for a different vet from my practise (the one I phoned yesterday suggested 2 bute, box rest or field rest as I felt appropriate. I kept him in, he has a huge box and his treat ball to keep him moving) and ask for bute or do I push for the cortisone injection? Anyone had good outcomes with the injection? Anything else I should consider?

 

[Zuzzie]

My gelding has arthritis in his right fore. Tried steroid injections but you will find they are only a short term solution. Initially they will work miracles as the horse will be sound and comfortable. However, the original lameness will return eventually. My horse had 3 injections over the course of 2 years and after each one the effect became less and less obvious. I also believe, as do others, that they have a detrimental effect on the joint itself. You will only be wasting money because it will not provide a cure. We had every treatment known to man except Tildren with absolutely no result. Best thing I ever did was put him on bute long term. He was unlevel for about 3 or 4 years but this year I have been able to wean him off it completely and he is sound - mainly due to good shoeing, the bute, and regular exercise (any box rest will just make things worse as the arthritis needs to keep moving).
As for glucosamine and other supplements - none of them made any difference but that maybe just my horse!
I don't know whether you realise but giving one bute to a horse will have little or no effect. You need to follow the instructions on the packet because you have to give a loading dose over 2 or 3 days before reducing the amount. I have been told by a very well respected vet that bute, apart from having the anti-inflamatory properties and being a pain killer, does actually help the healing process in the long term.
Hope this helps.

 

[sonjafoers]

I have a 13 year old who was x rayed with hock changes a year ago, the vet spoke to me about having injections at some point but I don't wish to proceed down that route. She's been on vetrofen & vetroflex for that year and showed a great improvement for a while but in the last month or so is intermittently 'uncomfortable' rather than lame. She still hoons around the field, canters in for tea, gets her back legs straight out behind her when bossing the others about etc etc. I have now started her on Cosequin but has only been on it a week so I can't tell if it will help her at all.

She had her annual jabs in the week and saw a different vet than the one who x rayed her. We briefly discussed the arthritis and he said the best thing is to consider bute, initially 2 sachets daily for a 3 week period which can sometimes be enough to keep them comfortable for some time and it can be stopped until needed again. However if after cutting it out she starts to feel uncomfortable then use a sachet daily, then onto half a sachet daily.

 

[mynutmeg]

Not dealt with it in horses but have had steroid injections for arthritis myself. They hurt like mad. The first one made a huge difference to my pain levels and how well I could move. After that the effectivness reduced and only had 2-3 injections before they had no effect.

 

[Holidays_are_coming]

My mare was diagnosed with Mild Arthritis in her right hind last year, she had Steroid Injections and they made a huge difference and lasted 11 months she has just had them done again and again the improvement is massive, Danilon does not help her at all. She has as much turn out as possible as movent is very important. Mine was refered to Rossdales and there advice is to keep using Steroids while they work then possbly look into fusing the joint. My mare was barely lame but unrideable due to rearing and behavoural issues caused by the pain, she is now brilliant and is on no painkillers, back jumping long hacks and fast work with no problems.