Urgent Question For Very Distressed Friend

[Retty]

Hi, Wonder if you can help, my friend is in a complete state as she has just found out that her horse that she has had for 20 years has laminitis sinkers, she has been told by someone that it is unlikely that her horse will ever be able to be ridden again. Does anyone know anything about this and is it true that her horse will not be able to be ridden ever again? Any help/advise would be appreciated!

[Miriam]

I've not heard of sinker but founders is that the same thing? Some recover some do not it depends I think on how badly the pedal bone has sunk.

[Gemma16]

Hi Retty, Sorry to hear of your friends bad news. :(

My old pony rusty got that in february and had to be put to sleep, but I have heard of cases of recovery. i'm not to sure if she'll be able to ride the horse again but her horse can come sound.

Is her pony old? if it is it is harder for them to get better just because of the age thing.

But I have heardof recovery cases.

All the best please keep me up dated. I know how bad it can be.

All my support :( :)

[Cobby]

Try getting in touch with the Laminitis Trust which is run by Robert Eustace - they are really helpful and supportive, and can treat some horses which most vets would consider a write off. They do have a help line that you can phone, I don't know the number, but you can probably find it on their website which is www.laminitis.org
I hope something can be done to help this horse. Good luck.

[Retty]

Thank you for all you help, I have been onto the laminitis site and called my friend and read through alot of info on the site which has put her mind to rest somewhat, at least there is some hope for her and her horse. They did mention that they used certain antibacterial and antifungal dressings but they did not state which ones, I can give them a call but wondered if any of you guys know of which dressings these are as the phone line is now closed.
Thank you.

[stormhorse]

Sinkers

These cases need to be treated by means of a frog support shoe, within a few hours of sinking if the horse is to have any chance of becoming sound again. All the laminal attachments have been destroyed in a sinker & the pedal bone is sitting on the bottom of the hoof capsule. Unless the bone can be lifted the horse may have to be destoyed.

This is taken from the book by Robert Eustace.

Tell your friend to ACT NOW!!!

Sorry for the bad news. Get help asap.

also speak to Liz on Horse.talk.co.uk

Good luck

Deb

[Retty]

Hi there
she has had a frog support fitted, it's just the nightmare of waiting for the x=rays and stewing on the what ifs, I sure hope that it comes ok for her, she is bawling her eyes out.

[Wally]

Right, the foot has the same properties of recovery as any part of the body. If she has had the correct proceedure applied at the right time the out look may not be all that bad.

The horse is 20, he might have a lesser ability to recover than a younger horse, but the right measures have been taken swiftly, that is all you can do. Time is the only factor now and the horse's own ability to heal. The fact that he is 20 is slightly against him, but not a deciding factor.

No point in making your life a mysery, do what can be done and look on the bright side, not even the vets and the farriers can predict the outcome, really they cannot. I know a horse who has had sesamoinditis, pedal ostitis, bastard strangles and chronic COPD. The vets wrote him off time and again. After a vet wrote him off he went on to win a Gold at a 100 mile endurance ride!
It's only over "when the fat lady sings!!"

[Mehitabel]

in addition to the very good advice here, retty, remind your friend that vets have to be pessimistic - they need to prepare you for the worst just in case, and so you don't sue them if they say the horse will recover and it doesn't. much better to be pessimistic and then have you believe they worked a miracle!
hope the horse recovers.

[Tybaz]

Hi RETTY,long shot but if you want a fantastic second opinion get intouch with the royal **** veterinary centre here in scotland,vets there have an amazing way of helping people with your friends problem,and theyre farriers are second to none,they may be able to give you some advice on how to treat or care for this condition.Like i say,long shot but may be worth it.

[Wally]

I too have problems passing on the name of the "RoyalDick " you have to spell it as one word or the bad language checker chucks it out!:D :D :D

[Tybaz]

I thought i was going to my knuckles rapped for it but hey ho,thanks for clarifiying!!!.Youd think such a renowned place would have a nicer name somehow wouldnt you!!

[Retty]

Thank you for your support, Jen (my friend whose horse it is) came over the other day and I showed her all your threads, she was touched by your help and advice. Dizzy is having special shoes fitted tommorrow so we will see how it goes from there.