acute osteo arthritis

[sykes]

Help. My horse has been diagnosed with the above. Not sure if anyone remembers but bought him about four months ago, problems with riding, back person out, got temporarily better, regressed, back person out (and vet twice) third back visit vet suggested x-rays for hock as something not quite right which has resulted in the above diagnosis. Am absolutely gutted. He's only five and I absolutely adore him. Has anyone any experience of treating the above/advice/know of a specialist etc? I've been told the best I can hope for after three months off is gentle hacking. He was my horse for life and I wanted to pass him on to my daughter. We all love him so much and I am really in bits about it. I knew something wasn't right but this is extreme. He also passed a five-stage vetting when I bought him so is insured but that's really not the point.

Aw Sykes, I'm really sorry to hear that. Poor horse and poor you . I don't know much about the condition I'm afraid, are you saying it is affecting the hock or is it something that affects the whole body over time? (you mentioned back trouble too). Alicetheinvisible (if that's still her name) might be the person to ask for advice as her hubby is a vet?).

Alicetheinvisible if you have any advice I would be SO grateful. Thanks, Pixel. It is making him lame but the vet says that his back problems stem from the hock - hence his tendency to run off round the school/freak out etc. I just don't know what to do.

Sorry not much time to post a lengthy reply but whereabouts in the country are you as that makes a difference for referral centres. I'm in Suffolk and the best places are Rossdales and the Animal Health Trust. Has your vet not mentioned treatment, there could be a possibility of steroid injections into the affected joint (is it both hocks?)It's not ideal for a horse this young but I had it done on a 4 year old twice with great results. Was done by referral centre first and then under sedation by regular vet. Mare is now eventing at a low level. Don't want to give false hope as have no idea how the 2 horses compare in terms of severity but it may not be the disaster you think it is.
Did your vet mention any joint supplements? Neutraceuticals such as glucosamine with Hyularonic Acid (Cortaflex etc) are fairly standard procedure too and may be covered by your insurance as they are quite pricey.

RIght off to bed now but hope that helps some.

Just saw Cortaflex mentioned and thought you'd like to know they do it for humans too and my stepdad swears by it. He has had a lot of very severe problems with his spine, surgery etc and at one point he could hardly move. He has tried lots of things over the years but he thinks the Cortaflex is fantastic. He does gardening and everything now.

Thanks all. Am investigating all possible routes and a supplement is the first course of action. My two vets are meeting at my yard tomorrow to discuss possible courses of action as the initial diagnosis is just not good enough for me or my horse. I asked for a report re treatment and proposals and my vet has done a great job. Surprised I had to ask for it but never mind. I've found the Horse & Hound forum to be invaluable re advice re suitable supplements/injections etc and have a list as long as my arm as to what might be possible. Great news re your horse, Shufflebum. I'll update with what they say tomorrow. All the report says is that he's had anti-inflammatory injections in his joints so far - name of drug not specified. I'm thinking of using a supplement called Riaflex and a painkiller called Vetrofen which is supposed to be of benefit to some arthritic horses. The problem is there are so many different supplements it's where to start. I do know that you need to make sure the dosage is adequate enough to be therapeutic in its quantities and there is a really good analysis of contents of supplements on the H&H forum. Thanks very much for your replies - I really appreciate them.

Ah so he's already had some injections so you could hope to see a change within a few weeks. Horse and Hound forum is definately the place to seek out advice, some very knowledgeable people on there. Good Luck!

Hello, sorry, have just seen this. Sorry to hear about your poor horse Will speak to DH this evening and see if there is anything to suggest to your vets that could be worth trying.

Alice, that would be great. Have since spoken to vet who passed him (five-stage vetting) and he has looked at the x-rays, showed them to senior vet and a radiologist, admittedly a human radiologist, and they really don't think it's anywhere near as severe as my current vet does. X-rays are going off to a specialist in Newmarket and both vets are meeting at my yard on Thursday to discuss. Should be interesting .... I'm going to try the Riaflex supplement (see above) and wait to see what else is suggested. The vet who passed him says he wouldn't recommend three months rest and thinks that my horse needs to go back to work - straight lines etc - quite soon -once medication has kicked in. I was wondering about long lining? I'm going dizzy with all the different opinions. Anyway, things are looking more positive today and the vet who made the diagnosis has been on the phone again today to see how things are. Any advice HUGELY appreciated and thanks in advance.

Hi, DH has said that obviously you have many vets involved so doesn't want to give any medical advice especially having not seen the horse or any x-rays.

However, on a positive note, he has said the hock is the 'best' joint to have arthritis in and treatment to the hocks has a better success rate than other joints because of the range of movement the hock does is less than other joints (if that makes sense? ) There are some great Vets in Newmarket

Thanks, Alice and completely understand his rationale. Interesting what he said re movement in the hock. Is he in Newmarket perchance? Thanks very much - hugely appreciate it.

Maybe

Good luck with it all

I don't know Alice's husband but can really recommend the vets at Rossdales, absolutely brilliant!

A horse from my yard has just been to Rossdales but my horse's x-rays are being sent to Ian Wright at the Newmarket Equine Hospital. Apparently, he's an orthopaedic specialist. Fingers crossed.

Definately fingers crossed, let us knows how it goes.

Well, he doesn't seem to have chronic osteo arthrtitis. Just inflamation of the joints which is, obviously, arthritis but no where near as severe. To say I'm happy is a massive understatement. My vet, who is an endurance vet, showed the x rays to a specialist who thinks it's much less severe, as above. He had a drip today of Trildan and will also be on Cartrophe. The t drug is wrong but am too drunk a and happy. Actually, the other one is wrong too,

So glad you've had some better news.

If you fancy trying some natural remedies then cider vinegar and honey is good for arthritis, we used to get it from the health food shop for my sister's old pony and we were convinced it made a difference (google it and see). You could also try massaging some linament into his joints to give him a bit of relief, just like us with the ralgex!

Actually I might have got that last bit wrong, is linament just for muscles or joints as well? I can't remember so best ignore me. . Cider vinegar def good stuff though.

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Thanks, Pixel. No idea why a message was deleted - was it rude? Anyway, back to working. Long lining etc - an absolute nutter but I think that's because he's been out of work etc and has had SO many injections etc. Any tips re calming techniques massively appreciated. My yard manager/instructor is being brilliant but I feel we're back to basics. Hopefully, it's because he's feeling well. Hope everyone else is okay and enjoying a great summer. Thanks so much for all your support.

Hi Sykes, he's going to need more warming up than is "normal" as he'll be stiff in his legs. Initially his gait will be off. Hopefully this will improve as he warms up.

Warmth is a natural pain relief so you could explore if there's any heat pads you could use on his joints to warm them up before he goes out. Winter is always worse than Summer for painful joints so he may become more grumpy at this time.

Remember gentle exercise is very beneficial for arthritic joints so try to do something as often as you can. You probably are back to basics but this is no bad thing as you and your horse are learning what is right for him. I'm sure with the right care, and some time, he can do all you would like him to.

Thanks, Spider. It's all going really well at the moment. The injections seem to have really helped and he's great to ride at the moment. Am keeping it to short, gentle sessions but it's like riding a different horse. PLEASE may it continue. I've actually hacked out twice now as well. Just in walk and he was a bit joggy the first time but the second time was really good. He thought about going home but with gentle ecouragement (I can now put my legs on) he was really well behaved. Am so pleased with and for him as he seems so much happier and is actually now getting to be quite a cheekt boy and inquisitive - picking up dandy brushes/hats etc that not long ago would have been terrifying for him. I do think going back to basics was what we both needed and fingers crossed it carries on like this. Am VERY happy.

Sykes I'm so pleased for you.

Thanks v much, Pixel. Hacked out again today, saw lots of scary things but he was really good if a bit of a wuss on occasions. How are things with you?

Going well thanks. We are still at the other yard for another week but we've had a few hacks out, lessons in the school, been lunged etc. Dhorse has stopped being boggly-eyed at seeing all the other horses and is taking things in his stride. His manners are much improved! (less biting, less dragging and barging etc). He too has been a bit of a wuss, especially when the yard owner put a sprinkler on some new grass next to the school. That was a totally wasted lesson as he thought it was trying to kill him! We have seen some of the dreaded cows and he was ok except he nearly fell over because he couldn't take his eyes off them to look where he was going, the fool.
Had a proud moment when I was giving him a hose down and I heard someone behind me shriek "OMG that's not , he looks magnificent!". It was someone who knew him before we bought him, when he was a scraggy youngster and about 2 hands smaller. She recognised him as he has distinctive markings but couldn't believe how he has changed. And of course he did look extra lovely all wet and shining in the sun .
I'm finally feeling as though we are bonding and that I might actually get brave enough to do him justice one of these days. The first hack out I was petrified and practically in tears, I just wanted to get off, but it has gradually got better. Although we have still only walked (thank you J my patient friend) I have managed to relax and enjoy the ride (mostly anyway ). The other day we went out with a mare who turned out to be in season and dhorse was very interested in her. Normally I would have just got straight off but I didn't and coped quite well. Surprised myself there!

Well done - sounds like huge progress. I'm thinking of doing a natural horsemanship course at some point. I know some people are very dismissive of them but I did a couple years ago with Richard Maxwell - he trained with Monty Roberts - and found it really useful. The horse I had then was lovely to ride but a complete and utter beast on the ground - absolutely petrifying. Didn't cure his "issues" but helped me cope with them. Good luck this week.