arthritis ... please help

[ruthb]

Hi,

My horse has just been diagnosed with arthritis in her hock. I am obviously very distressed and worried - she's only 14 and a cob-type, but had a very tough early life (rescue horse) including trotting racing on the roads, so I suppose its not surprising. She's very beloved and if she has to be retired and become a very large pet then so be it, but I would dearly love to think that she might be rideable again. She's mainly a hack now, with a bit of low level schooling and a very little easy jumping, so next year's Badminton isn't an issue!

I have a whole load of questions, and wondered if anyone could help me with a few of them ...

* Her condition is being described as "arthritic change". I know what arthritis is, but what (idiot's version please) is meant by change? And if change is occurring, what has triggered it and will it stop?

* What is meant by fusion, as in her hocks have to fuse? (again, explanation for dullard needed ...) I am just unclear as to whether fusion is good or bad? I will be seeing the vet in the week, but I didn't ask much when he told me as I didn't want to start crying.

* She's going to have a cortisol injection next week, presumably to bring down the swellign and make her more comfortable. What is your view/experience on this?

* She has been on box rest the last few weeks awaiting the diagnosis; do you think she should go out so she can move about,or be kept in to rest the leg? Weight is an issue, but she's losing nothing in the box even though she's getting only three slices of hay a day and I could get her a grazing muzzle ...

* What treatments - both veterinary, dietary and - at this point I'd do anything - old wives tales - have you tried for arthritis and with what sort of results?

Any advice/help would be much appreciated.
Ruthx

 

[Pale Moon]

Hi,

My horse has just been diagnosed with arthritis in her hock. I am obviously very distressed and worried - she's only 14 and a cob-type, but had a very tough early life (rescue horse) including trotting racing on the roads, so I suppose its not surprising. She's very beloved and if she has to be retired and become a very large pet then so be it, but I would dearly love to think that she might be rideable again. She's mainly a hack now, with a bit of low level schooling and a very little easy jumping, so next year's Badminton isn't an issue!

I have a whole load of questions, and wondered if anyone could help me with a few of them ...

* Her condition is being described as "arthritic change". I know what arthritis is, but what (idiot's version please) is meant by change? And if change is occurring, what has triggered it and will it stop?

* What is meant by fusion, as in her hocks have to fuse? (again, explanation for dullard needed ...) I am just unclear as to whether fusion is good or bad? I will be seeing the vet in the week, but I didn't ask much when he told me as I didn't want to start crying.

* She's going to have a cortisol injection next week, presumably to bring down the swellign and make her more comfortable. What is your view/experience on this?

* She has been on box rest the last few weeks awaiting the diagnosis; do you think she should go out so she can move about,or be kept in to rest the leg? Weight is an issue, but she's losing nothing in the box even though she's getting only three slices of hay a day and I could get her a grazing muzzle ...

* What treatments - both veterinary, dietary and - at this point I'd do anything - old wives tales - have you tried for arthritis and with what sort of results?

Any advice/help would be much appreciated.
Ruthx

I have a 15 year old Section D Cross that was diagnosed with arthritis in his pasterns just over three years ago.

At first my entire world collapsed, as I thought that his ridden days were well and truly over. However, it honestly isn't all bad news.

I can only answer some of your queries, as obviously my horse has arthritis in different joints, but I hope that the information below will be some help in easing your obvious worries right now.

Arthritic "change" means, in broad terms, changes in the bony structures in the joints. In a healthy joint, the bones rub together smoothly and painlessly, when arthritic change happens, additional bone "grows" onto the existing joint, making it uneven, inflamed and painful. Bony changes can range from mild to severe, although once arthritis begins, it is only ever going to get worse (it is DJD - Degenerative Joint Disease) - however how quickly the condition progresses is difficult to measure.

As far as box rest is concerned - my vet is of the opinion that the absolute worst thing for a horse suffering from arthritis is immobility. All that happens is the joints seize up even worse. When my horse's ringbone flares up, I continue to ride him gently (unless he is particularly bad) aided with a little bute each day and he is turned out as well, so that he can stretch his legs etc.

Obviously a horse that is very badly overweight is going to suffer more with arthritis than a horse that is of medium to good condition score.

Finally - when my lad was diagnosed my vet recommended a supplement for joints called Pernamax. It is made from the shells of green lipped mussels. Here is the web address if you want to have a look:

www.maxavita.co.uk

It is not especially cheap - around £30.00 per month - but I have had my horse on it now ever since he first went lame three years ago and apart from recently, he has been as sound as a pound. This is definitely because of the Pernamax, because when he doesn't have it (my order was late one month, so he was without it for a week), he went lame, so it obviously works! There are testimonials on the website from other people, but I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I hope that things go well. Please try not to worry too much - I know that it is an awful, stressful time, but it really isn't the end of the world - although I know feels like it at first. With some time and perseverence you will no doubt find something that works well for your horse, just as I did.

Take care, if you need anything further, just PM me.

Rachel
x

 

[flinglebunt]

I think I could give that vet a good shaking, he might have tried not to leave you in the dark. I agree with Pale Moon that keeping the horse on box rest may not be a good idea ...... was you told to do this, if so what was the reason?

Is he on any medication yet or painkillers/antiimflammatory such as bute?

This time of year I don't think weight gain is a big issue out in the paddocks so I am tempted to say give him a bute and put him out to see how he gets on for a few hours each day.

There are a number of suppliments available off the shelf and most will contain glucosamine as one of the active ingredients. I am not familiar with the one that Pale Moon reccommended but they all seem to be about that price and they do help. .. PMs one sounds a winner from her experience.

As the vet is still to come back to give cortisone injections I would not start on anything just yet that might mask anything ahead of the treatment but feel free to phone your vet ..... that is what he is there for. Winter is the worst time for my old boy and I often bandage his legs at night especially when it is very cold.

 

[artemis]

The injection should be a help. In humans it lasts for up to six weeks. So anything that you give during that time may or may not be effective. It may take while to find what suits her, so I would try with the cheapest option first & then try another. I used vegetable oil first & am now using glucomasine on my horse.

 

[Kimmy C]

My mare is nearly 30 and her arthritis is more noticeable now. She tends to get it worse in the summer but may be because she is out 24 hours in the summer. I give her devils claw in her feed which seems to help although I could possibly give her something else as I have not researched anything different. I do agree that the more they are allowed to move about the better. I still ride Adella most days but mainly hacking as schooling, especially this year, has proven to be a bit hard for her as she drops her back end and trips but on a hack she is fine. I haved to say that I have not got a menage only hard bumpy fields to ride in so this makes matters worse.