Daft question about vet visits (for lameness)

[LondonKat]

Hello,

this may all sound a bit dim, but I am new to this horse-owning lark. If you call a vet to investigate a mild (but long-term) lameness, what exactly will he/she do, and what sort of facilities do they expect/need? See, I have a horse on loan with (suspected) arthritis. He is kept at a small DIY yard, there is a small school with a not-very-good surface. Will the vet want me to lunge him? I have never actually done this before, and I know he can be difficult to lunge - do I need to try and find someone to do it for me or will it be enough to just trot him up? Help, am panicking!:o

Also, how is arthritis diagnosed - will he have to go off somewhere for scans? (I have no transport and he hs not travelled anywhere since his owner bought him around 4/5 years ago).

Thanks for reading, apologies for idiocy of questions!

[Maclynky]

I don't think vet would want him lunged as this puts a lot of strain on horses tendons/joints etc. He may trot him up or he may be abl to detect site of lameness from just feeling the legs. 3 ponies have gone lame this week at my livery yard, all of them were lame for very different reasons the vet did not trot them or lunge them he just knew from examining them so don't worry you'll be fine.

[LondonKat]

coo that was a quick reply - thank you! I will try and stop stressing. (In fact putting my sensible head on, I have just realised that I could just ring the vet and ask them what will happen. Doh!)

[CMR]

The vet will most likely do X-rays. For that you'll need to have a flat surface that the horse can stand on. Most vets then get back to you in a few days with the results.

I have had a vet ask for me to lunge for a lap or two at trot and walk. I've never been asked for the horse to canter. If you aren't able to lunge them, trotting them in hand will be just as good.

[LondonKat]

OK, thanks v much. I think am I just stressing for no good reason, will try and be calm now. Ta!

[colettybetty]

Vet will probably just want to see him trotted up, may do flexion test by holding the affected leg before trotting,may well be able to diagnose by exam, but may need x-rays. If transport is needed, just try to have a practise loading before the appointment so you are not trying to load when stressed, but he'll probably be fine.
Don't feel intimidated by the vet, he's there to help, ask lots of questions and if he cares about his work he'll be delighted to tell you all the latest information, if he doesn't, then get a better vet !
Can't beat me for being a prize idiot, called vet out for OH's coloured cob, his tongue looked grossly swollen and discoloured. Vet came, had a look and said with a grin, 'Yep, thats entirely normal' felt incredibly stupid, but grinned back, relieved that his gross tongue was absolutely fine !

[LondonKat]

Thanks colettybetty - am sure the vet was entertained - I figure it's always better to ask the stupid questions than to ignore the things you're not sure about!

I shall let you all know how I get on....

[Pink's lady]

The vet will want to see him trotted up in-hand on a hard and a soft surface. He'll then want the horse lunged in the school and on a hard, flat surface and will want to see him turned in a very tight circle. The idea is to make the horse show any lame ness if there is any. He'll also do flexion tests,

If there is supsected arthritis he may then by refered for x-rays - but that's expensive and if he's farily sure it is just 'old age' arthritic, it'll probably be treated as thus.

You'll then be given a treatment regime - which will proabaly include Bute and cortaflex.

[Est]

Hi LondonKat,
My horse has arthritis in his off-side stifle. Pink's lady has given good advice. We had x-rays as well because Merrick is only young (10 at the time).
If it turns out to be arthritis, it would be nice to hear how you get on :)

[LondonKat]

Thanks all.

Slight hitch though - I've spoken to his owner, she doesn't think it's a good idea to call the vet (I know it sounds odd, long story though..) but she doesn't mind me booking a physio to check him over. So, I've found someone with all the right qualifications who only works with a vet's approval, so the theory is that if he does need to see a vet then the physio will be able to convince the owner. I hope.

Lawks, this loaning business is not straightforward is it?

Anyway, thanks again - Est, hope your chap is doing ok - I may be able to compare notes after the physio has been!

[colettybetty]

just read through your orginal post, just wondered if you have full loan of your boy ? Without knowing the full story, it sounds odd about her reluctance for you to have a vet out, I'm assuming the vet bill would be your responsibility ? Because if you are in sole charge of him you have the duty to call the vet if you believe it neccesary.( keep a note of when you asked vet to attend)
Am glad phsyio is coming, maybe his reluctance to lunge is a pain issue, also get her to take a look at the schools surface, if the surface is poor, maybe putting a lot of strain on your boys limbs.
You sound like a really caring owner, best of luck, and my advice is to pump any professional for information- and then make up your own mind !

[LondonKat]

Hello again, sorry, have not been online for a bit. I do have him on sort of full loan but it's a bit complicated, his owner is still very much involved and sees him every day (more often then me in fact! Pesky work keeps intefering with my lesiure time:D ) hence why I like to check with her before doing anything major.
But the physio is booked for next Friday, so hopefully she can sort him out.

[Pink's lady]

A physio isn't legally allowed to treat a lame horse unless under direction of a vet - so you'll need to get a vet out anyways. And legally they also have to have the permission of the horse's vet BEFORE they come out the treat the horse, so you'll still need to phone the vet.

But yes, the physio might be more convincing for the owner than you can be. But it is odd that the owner doesn't want the vet (especially if you'll be paying for it). Suggests the vet is going to fine something very wrong and she's worried you'll give the horse back. Will be interested to see what the physio thinks though.

[Eli_Jay]

my horse went lame a few months ago with something similar to arthritis. All I had to do was trot cheque up on a hard surface, the vet then felt all along the lame leg etc and did xrays near the stableblock.
None of the facilities were imparative - and we've had the vet out to see the other horses, and they're just in a paddock - NO facilities

[LondonKat]

Bit of an update for anyone still interested! The physio has been, she was very good and spent ages checking him over, and managed not to laugh at my lunging efforts. Basically she does not think there is anything seriously wrogn, he's just very un-supple and undermuscled as he's just been hacked out for so long - since he's only ever been ridden in straight lines on a long rein, it's not really surprising that he can't bend very well. So, the next step is gentle long-reining at walk only, to see if we can loosen him up a bit, then she'll come back in a month to re-assess. so fingers crossed...

[colettybetty]

Was wondering how you got on- thats quite a relief then ! I am a great advocate of long reining as it has so many benefits. Best of luck:)