spavin and injections

[Anne]

Are there any vets or experienced riders on the list who have had their horses injected for bone spavin?

My horse has had spavin for quite some time now and I'm advised that now is the time to have injections. I trust my vet but would like to know the difference between the various kinds of injection, that is, long-term, short-term, side-effects possibly leading to neccessary surgery, which I understand can mean a year or more out of action.

I'm very concerned about my mare, and want the best possible help for her ... would be grateful for any input :)

looking forward to your comments ...

Anne

[katyptaty]

HI

my boy was injected in the hock for spavin. can't remember what with now though (useless) as he has also had steroid injections into his back so have gone a bit confused!!! hopefully this reply will put you back in people's attention so that someone can give you some advice.

i would have a look at other web boards too as some of them have resident vets who give advice. Kickon used to have this before the FMD crisis. Maybe give that a go as well as ones like Equiworld who may be able to help.

Some people say don't have these injections, so it would be a good idea to have an informed opinion as to what you feel comfortable with. i also tried magnetic boots (which aides natural self healing) and therapies like reiki/physio which seemed to help. he now only momentarily goes lame for a few steps if asked to work hard with his hocks.

Sorry to be so useless! Can anyone else help?

kate

[Janice Corbett]

What, exactly, is a spavin?

[Wally]

It is a degenerative joint desease of the hock, humans commonly get hip arthritis, horses get spavin.

A friend of mine has a horse with " the worst spavin the vet has ever seen" He is being treated very successfully and is in regular, reasonably fast work. It can be treated and respond very well, it's all up to the individual horse.

[Janice Corbett]

Wally, thanks - I thought it was DJD. What treatment is your friends horse having? I am thinking of taking on a horse with spavin as a horse for my hubby to lightly hack and possibly for a friend to accompany me on rides occasionally. My concern is that I can fully meet the needs of a horse with this condition. I already have a mare who is in her early 20's and a yearling.