Anyone keep horses ?

[Magiccat1978]

I'm after a bit of advice about my little gelding Bobby he has had sore legs for a few weeks. One swollen but not sore and the other sore with no obvious mark or injury. We have had the vet out a few times and on Tuesday I had to take him to the hospital for x-rays etc but I had to come home without him. He was a total pig, he wouldnt behave and although they got some work done they didnt get finished as he went mental and ripped the steel rings he was tied too out of the concrete wall. As well as being super embarressed I really didnt think he was that strong. They even tried to contain him in the cattle press but he escaped and bent it. To top it all off what they have done suggests a bone problem so they want to transfered him to the Royal Dick Vet Hospital in Edinburgh to have a radiation drip put in so they can do a full body scan and then he has to stay in isolation for 3-7 days because he'll be radio-active. Who know what thats going to cost - rough guide is £650 - £800 but it could easily be more. I just feel he has been lame for a while and the only alternative is complete box rest for 3 months, I would feel terribly guilty about leaving him standing in alone all summer
So what I'm really asking is has anyone had Nuclear Scintigraphy done on their horse and is it stressful for the animal? My vet has said it is a straight forward proceedure and as he is not very co-operative they will put a cathiter in his neck so all injections can be put in via a tube attatched to his head collar and he will only have the one jag to put the cathiter in. Sorry to go on, I'm just worried about him. Any advice/experience welcome
Laura

[pipkins]

All sounds very scarey.

Hope someone will be able to help you!

[Tomatoking]

Sorry, can't help you, but I know it's a real worry. I've got two 'girls' myself and just hate it when anything happens to them. I had a scare the other day, when my 'Appy' went really off colour and wouldn't eat or even move for over a day, but luckily she picked up and is now her old self. Also a few years ago, my chestnut suffered colic, it was the scariest thing ever, but we got through it and she is now so much more loving and a different girl. Sometimes, they know that things aren't right and they are unwell, and you have to be strong for them as well as for yourself, they definitely do sense that you care and love them and they depend on you.

I'm sure he will be in 'safe hands'. Keep giving him lots of cuddles and love, poor little boy! Good luck to you both. From a fellow horse lover!

Keep us informed.

Mrs TK

[Glutton4...]

Sorry to hear of your problems. I've not been in your situation, but thought I'd offer sympathy nonetheless. One of the ponies at our yard is stroppy to say the least, hates the vet, loading, travelling, unloading, being wormed, rugged - anything (fine for the farrier, luckily), and he would've reacted exactly the same as your chap, so I can understand your anguish. Whilst I hate to see animals sedated, often it is best, as it is far safer for the animal, and the staff working on him.

I also hate 'box rest' and only use it as a last resort, as confining them can often cause more problems than it solves.

Fingers crossed for you, and him, please keep us informed of your progress, as there's quite a few Grapes with Horses, and I know we'll all be concerned.

[its hilly]

Nuclear horse? Can they wire him into the house for you so at least you get something off your electric?

Sorry, horses yes, but never come across that scan before. But I'll keep fingers and toes crossed that it goes well for you. Its such a worry when you know there's something wrong but no-one is sure what.
As for difficult, i went to vet hospital with someone else to have their TB mare looked at. She managed to bend the rails on the crush too..it's amazing, but also slighty scary when you think about the strength they could use against us if they were so inclined.
Oh and and a tip I've used to help instead of box rest (which I also hate). Fence off a small section of field in a triangular shape and put a couple of very big scary jumps up on the middle of each side. It stops the horse or pony being able to get up any sort of speed, but means they can be out 24/7, which calms them down. Preferably with a very chilled out pal. And absaloutely no hard feed, not even good hay/haylage, just grass and unmolassed low calorie chop if wanted.

[lindyloo]

just agreeing with 'it's hilly's' advice. he will be far better out in a small pen. somewhere where he can see what is going on. hope it all goes well for him. just one thing- what were the vets thinking off tieing him to the ring in the wall- surely they knew to tie him to baling twine tied to the ring?
think i might ask for a second opinion from another vet, if i was in your shoes. from what you say, the ones you used, seem a little fazed by handling a horse. and it will probably take a long time to get him to trust a vet again.

[Nicos]

Can I ask you some 'difficult' questions?

Do you have Insurance?
If the follow up treatments are ongoing and expensive- how long will the Insurance cover it?
How old is your pony?- and what are your future plans with him.
Is he very valuable ( cost wise and emotionally)
Is your vet a horse specialist?
What exactly are they looking for which won't show up with blood tests/X-rays/ultra sound?
Do the vets have a new piece of expensive machinery that they want/need to try out at either yours or the Insurance companies expense???

Don't mean to be rude , but I hope all those ideas have crossed your mind???

I've had horses for many years and am getting a bit synical in my old age.
My horse has regular nose bleeds from both nostrils, anytime, any place and apparently that's suposed to be a REAL worry. We paid a fortune having him checked out for everything- conclusion??...absolutely no idea, no treatmant and we just get on with things as usual ( been going on now for 9 years)

I had a bunny which needed it's eye removing. No insurance- cos a fortune- and she has to be put down ( vet said he doubted it would work but it was worth a try- my poor bunny had an absolutely awful 4 weeks of trauma and I've felt guilty ever since. And yup- it was the first time the vet had ever done that operation)

Please don't let your lovely pony be practice material if you think that may be the case.
I cannot believe he wasn't sedated, knowing what he was like.They should NEVER have let him get that worked up- just think of the damage he could have done to himself
My horse was badly handled before I got time and he'd freek out at the sight of a piece of bailing twine ( twitch)- so he'd be sedated for anything to do with a vet ( strangely very happy with the dentist though!)

Think hard- and ask lots of questions.
I really hope he's sorted out.
Box rest? pah!- the only time my horse has pulled tendons is when bombing around after box rest!

Go with your instincts- you know your pony better than anyone else.

Fingers crossed whatever happens he'll be OK xx

[lindyloo]

i agree with everything you say, too, nicos... my vets are good, but even so, i take most things the vet says, with a grain of salt, as a lot of it is money oriented. i wouln't operate on an older horse.
i would let time do it's work, if that was an option, and use a small pen , the size of a school. i have to admit, from what you ( op) say about the way your horse was handled, i would not let those vets near a horse of mine. in particular, apart from the trauma, the strain which was put on his legs, during the vet. visit, and the travelling which will be involved in future treatment , sounds counterproductive.
i personally would keep him in an outdoor school if you have one, or in a small area with level ground. i certainly wouldnt keep him shut in. give him til the end of summer, keep his weight down, and see what happens. take him for short walks in hand, if you can, so he can see different things- just 10 or 15 minutes. i would also change vets.

[its hilly]

Just a thought Maggie..down here we have had very little rain over the last couple of months and as a result the ground is rock hard over all. If its the same with you and he has had a busy week or two on top of that he could simply be showing the jarring effects of constant slight concussion from the hard ground. You will know best, but tbh after the hassle so far at the hospital it may be an idea to put him on confined turnout, with a mild anti-inflammatory gradually reducing for a little while, then see how he is.
Obviously if he is in severe pain or extremely lame that wouldn't be possible.
I agree with Nicos though, many vets respond to your worry and dash off for expensive treatments assuming you will be insured and that the insurance will pay out, when once over they would have recommended rest, anti-inflammatorys and painkillers if needed. Amazing how often that worked.

[lindyloo]

another thing to consider- what does your farrier say? also, what has he been eating; a mare i had loved young stinging nettles, and had sore filled legs, til i twigged what the probl;em was and moved her. is he doing any road work, ie footsore ? i guess the vet has ruled out laminitis?

[HayleyB]

Why on earth would they do a full body scan when the problem is in the legs I am surprised the vets didn't thoroughly sedate to enable x-rays which would surely throw up some sort of answer. This seems a drastic way to skin a cat if you ask me.

Your horse could just have sore shins or be throwing a splint or two (I take it they are front legs) or sore tendons. It doesn't take nuclear science to work those things out...

[HayleyB]

Oh by the way, box rest doesn't have to be 'box' rest, a small corral/turnout would be far more sane, anywhere he won't get a bit of speed in will do.

[Magiccat1978]

Hi thanks so much for all your replies. I got him home and he was ok. Had to be kept in a few days and just walked out in hand because of the nerve block injections he had to prevent an infection. Well I put him back in the field yesterday because I dont want him kept in and the ponies he's with are a quiet elderly bunch anyway. Got a phone call at 8am this morning to say that he had jumped out and accross two other fields as far as they can tell and was grazing with the cattle When they went to retrieve him he can hardly walk. Ended up having to call the emergency out of hours vet service and he is now sore all over. I said I really didnt want him box rested so we are turning him out in a little bit fenced off with a field shelter alone or with a mini shetland if he objects, giving a small dose of bute for a week and hoping for the best. I discussed everything that has been going on with the out of hours vet and he said that this test would be what he recommended too so that made me feel a bit better, hearing it from someone not involved if you know what I mean. A independent 2nd opinion. Provisional date is the 3rd of June but may have to be put back now because of this mornings nonsense. Will have to phone The Vet School on Monday and let them know whats happened.

Can I ask you some 'difficult' questions?

Do you have Insurance?
If the follow up treatments are ongoing and expensive- how long will the Insurance cover it?

No no insurance as there have been problems with his legs before ( a hairline fracture 17 years ago) and they are not cover. They wont cover it anyway because of his age


How old is your pony?- and what are your future plans with him.
Is he very valuable ( cost wise and emotionally)

He is 21 and is just used for light hacking and my daughter (3 1/2) to sit on now and again. He's not very valuable in money terms but I have had him for 18 years and love him to bits.


Is your vet a horse specialist?

Yes they are the best in the area and they only vets to be fully trained in equine rescue etc

What exactly are they looking for which won't show up with blood tests/X-rays/ultra sound?

They didnt get all the tests done because of his behaviour and he was quite heavily sedated but just went mad everytime they came near him to do anything medical. Even though he was quite happy to stand and be groomed/ cuddles 10 mins later. If they tried again he started agian. So they felt it safer to stop. These tests will show up differences in the bone ie new growth on aggrivation and will tell them exactly where to look without all the distress and fighting


Do the vets have a new piece of expensive machinery that they want/need to try out at either yours or the Insurance companies expense???

No it will be a totally different practice thats dealing with the next lot of tests.

Don't mean to be rude , but I hope all those ideas have crossed your mind???


Yep they have but I know my vet very very well as I had an old pony that requires regular vet visits and she has been very good with me and my horses alot of the time not charging for call outs etc so I know they will do their best/ whats right for him.


I've had horses for many years and am getting a bit synical in my old age.
My horse has regular nose bleeds from both nostrils, anytime, any place and apparently that's suposed to be a REAL worry. We paid a fortune having him checked out for everything- conclusion??...absolutely no idea, no treatmant and we just get on with things as usual ( been going on now for 9 years)

My old pony had this not all the time but maybe once every few weeks it would happen, I went through the same as you but we did get an answer in the end. He was allergic to a specific type of hay In the end we only fed him on haylage and he was bedded on shavings and rubber matting. We basically treated him as you would with a severe COPD case and he was just fine

Please don't let your lovely pony be practice material if you think that may be the case.
I cannot believe he wasn't sedated, knowing what he was like.They should NEVER have let him get that worked up- just think of the damage he could have done to himself
My horse was badly handled before I got time and he'd freek out at the sight of a piece of bailing twine ( twitch)- so he'd be sedated for anything to do with a vet ( strangely very happy with the dentist though!)

Think hard- and ask lots of questions.
I really hope he's sorted out.
Box rest? pah!- the only time my horse has pulled tendons is when bombing around after box rest!

Go with your instincts- you know your pony better than anyone else.

Fingers crossed whatever happens he'll be OK xx

Thank you very much for all your support and kind words it really does help, more than you know.x

[Nicos]

Gosh!...I wasn't actually expecting you to answer those questions...just for you to consider!!

Sounds like you're not being 'taken for a ride' does it?

I wish you all the best with Bobby- he sounds quite a character!!

( oh- and hay allergy???...interesting!)

[lizzylemon]

Hi Magic, dont keep horses at all so can offer no personel advice. however I was born & raised in vry famous horse town called newmarket.

we've just had an amazing horsey hospital built:

Homepage - Newmarket Equine Hospital

and we have the animal health trust just up t'road

Animal Health Trust, Animal Welfare, Cat, Dog, Horse, Charity, Donations

Either might be able to offer you some telephone advice.