Has anyone heard or seen any discussion about OCD or CalDensity causing joint problems?
I have a 3YO that keeps getting sore ankles and while the Vet is able to relieve the stmptoms I think age three is far far too young for a horse to start having ankle problems normally assiociated with wear and tear
I have no reason to believe the CalDensity she gets is causing this problem but that's the only think we are doing with her that is not routeen. Thus far she raced five times starting September.
griff
Ankle Problems
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Ankle Problems
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LKR
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Ankle Problems
I would give her a shot of E-SE and see if that takes care of it. I know some horses that get a shot of E-SE at the track every month. It helps them.
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fort_falcon
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Has your horse been xrayed? If not i would definately get xrays done, because there could be chips, which can cause distention or swelling in the joint.
If there are chips then I would advise having as many of them removed as possible without weakening the joint.
OCD is very typical in Warmblooded horses, they seem to be prone to it - especially in the hocks.
My vet would use Hyalauronic Acid to treat the joints. But you should - as I said - have her joints xrayed before treating.
Also, is there visible swelling in the joints? if so this is a good indication...
If there are chips then I would advise having as many of them removed as possible without weakening the joint.
OCD is very typical in Warmblooded horses, they seem to be prone to it - especially in the hocks.
My vet would use Hyalauronic Acid to treat the joints. But you should - as I said - have her joints xrayed before treating.
Also, is there visible swelling in the joints? if so this is a good indication...
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The ankles do not have fluid but seem to be dry according to my Vet who is using Hyalauronic acid, which does provide relief. GThis will be her second use of acid in five months of racing.
We started her late because she was a May foal and took it slow and easy. She's had five races in five months and yesterday wasa the second injection of acid.
I have faith in my trainer and VET but wondered whay a 3 YO that did not start racing until last SSeptember is having this problem.
griff
We started her late because she was a May foal and took it slow and easy. She's had five races in five months and yesterday wasa the second injection of acid.
I have faith in my trainer and VET but wondered whay a 3 YO that did not start racing until last SSeptember is having this problem.
griff
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fort_falcon
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Is your vet sure there's no chips? Seriously, I'd have them checked out - ie xrayed. I know it's expensive, but just to be on the safe side, id do it if it were my filly!!!
Also, is there any swelling? If there is you could try bandaging her at night, and maybe consider putting her on a glucosomine supplement like Corta-flex - I've been using this on several "jointy" fillies over the past year or so and its had a really positive effect on their soundness!
Also, is there any swelling? If there is you could try bandaging her at night, and maybe consider putting her on a glucosomine supplement like Corta-flex - I've been using this on several "jointy" fillies over the past year or so and its had a really positive effect on their soundness!
"But i don't want to go among mad people." Said Alice.
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fort_falcon
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You see OCD alot in fast growing breeds of horses like TB's.
From what I can understand OCD can occur during the growth period of the joint. Basically there's alot of cartilidge which starts to adhere to the bone which causes thickening and discomfort.
When they operate for OCD they pretty much scrape away the excess cartilidge until they reacvh pure bone.
It's nothing to do with - really - how MUCH work the horse has done, especialy as you say she's been brought on slowly. It's partly just her genetics maybe, it's something that occurs during growth, and unfortunately it cannot really be prevented, the only way forward now is to have the joints xrayed as has already been said, as there may be further problems which may not have anything to do with OCD.
From what I can understand OCD can occur during the growth period of the joint. Basically there's alot of cartilidge which starts to adhere to the bone which causes thickening and discomfort.
When they operate for OCD they pretty much scrape away the excess cartilidge until they reacvh pure bone.
It's nothing to do with - really - how MUCH work the horse has done, especialy as you say she's been brought on slowly. It's partly just her genetics maybe, it's something that occurs during growth, and unfortunately it cannot really be prevented, the only way forward now is to have the joints xrayed as has already been said, as there may be further problems which may not have anything to do with OCD.
"But i don't want to go among mad people." Said Alice.
"Oh, you can't help that," said the cat. "We're all mad here."
"Oh, you can't help that," said the cat. "We're all mad here."
When you say your vet is using HA....is he injecting that? The general rule for joints is: three strikes, you're out. Too many people let the vet train their horse. If your horse has sore ankles, she needs time. Period. Send her to a farm, turn her out for a bit on walk her on an Equiciser. Let her ankles cool out.
You should get Xrays to make sure that you are not ignoring an obvious problem. I can't tell you how many horses I have seen sent out who were showing their trainers that something was wrong. The trainers think....I can treat this with drugs, supplements, magic, whatever. Sure enough, the horse breaks something, or worse....breaks down altogether. Do not assume anything. Do not give her a shot of (insert drug here) and think that will fix it. Do not risk it. Take xrays and go from there. And remember....the difference between a horseman and a trainer is patience. You need patience....a horse will do better for you in the long run if you give them the time they need. Is it better to push a horse to make it to so-and-so race, and then have an unsound horse, or is it better to give them time when they need it and have a sound horse for the next 5 years? You have to decide what kind of owner you want to be. If your trainer's answer to everything is to tap, think about getting another trainer!
Good luck and keep us posted!
You should get Xrays to make sure that you are not ignoring an obvious problem. I can't tell you how many horses I have seen sent out who were showing their trainers that something was wrong. The trainers think....I can treat this with drugs, supplements, magic, whatever. Sure enough, the horse breaks something, or worse....breaks down altogether. Do not assume anything. Do not give her a shot of (insert drug here) and think that will fix it. Do not risk it. Take xrays and go from there. And remember....the difference between a horseman and a trainer is patience. You need patience....a horse will do better for you in the long run if you give them the time they need. Is it better to push a horse to make it to so-and-so race, and then have an unsound horse, or is it better to give them time when they need it and have a sound horse for the next 5 years? You have to decide what kind of owner you want to be. If your trainer's answer to everything is to tap, think about getting another trainer!
Good luck and keep us posted!
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Cathyleabo
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ratherrapid
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griff--my take:
depends what u mean by ankle problems, so i'd agree with the others that diagnosis would be step one. unnecessary to spend a fortune. do you start with X-rays? look at the sesamoids make sure they're intact and attached, etc.
i'd be interested how you know your horse is sore. is it limping? is it digging in bedding to stand its hoofs at an angle to avoid pain? horse can get fetlock and pastern injuries at any age. all sorts of pathology. prefer to avoid by appropriate care and training, but, once it's there you have anything from a potential disaster to a minor problem. i wonder if this vet doing the injections has given any opinions? also, i'm unable to imagine those two substances being fed have anything to do with the injury process or the symptoms.
depends what u mean by ankle problems, so i'd agree with the others that diagnosis would be step one. unnecessary to spend a fortune. do you start with X-rays? look at the sesamoids make sure they're intact and attached, etc.
i'd be interested how you know your horse is sore. is it limping? is it digging in bedding to stand its hoofs at an angle to avoid pain? horse can get fetlock and pastern injuries at any age. all sorts of pathology. prefer to avoid by appropriate care and training, but, once it's there you have anything from a potential disaster to a minor problem. i wonder if this vet doing the injections has given any opinions? also, i'm unable to imagine those two substances being fed have anything to do with the injury process or the symptoms.
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Barn 31 T-breds
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Maybe Im old-fashioned, but, after taking X rays to make sure there isn't chips or fractures involved, I'd work on cooling those ankles out.
If she's having problems already, you are going to have to make a decision about continuing to race her. If you feel comfortable going on, I would start to ice her daily. Put a poultice on her ankles at night and start on an Nsaid - bute is best.
The fact that she is experiencing this much trouble after only a few races doesn't bode well, but with judicious handling, she could have a useful career.
If she's having problems already, you are going to have to make a decision about continuing to race her. If you feel comfortable going on, I would start to ice her daily. Put a poultice on her ankles at night and start on an Nsaid - bute is best.
The fact that she is experiencing this much trouble after only a few races doesn't bode well, but with judicious handling, she could have a useful career.
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doublete
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My two cents is NOONE should tap ankles on a 3 y/o unless it is in the Derby with a serious shot.
That said, definitely have xrays done. See if there is a reason for the "dryness' that the vet is treating. There may be chips, may be OCD, something. If so, then treat that. Don't let another injection happen until you know why. People will inject many times, and it may help, but it also tends to lead to NEEDING the injection. Aka, you have already injected twice, she'll need it again sooner and sooner each time. We do it on the older claimers because they have run through the ranks and this is their last stop. Babies should not need it.
That said, definitely have xrays done. See if there is a reason for the "dryness' that the vet is treating. There may be chips, may be OCD, something. If so, then treat that. Don't let another injection happen until you know why. People will inject many times, and it may help, but it also tends to lead to NEEDING the injection. Aka, you have already injected twice, she'll need it again sooner and sooner each time. We do it on the older claimers because they have run through the ranks and this is their last stop. Babies should not need it.
Racing and retraining.
Doublete is right. Actually, injecting a horse that young, with so little miles, is like churning stock. By avoiding x-rays and an actual diagnosis, the vet is creating an situation that will require ongoing, and increasing, retreatment. It's like the repro vets in the big name clinics that advise "treating" a mare with a dirty uterine culture every day for a week. Nine times out of 10, one or two treatments (one vinegar, one antibiotic) is perfectly fine but the vet doesn't make nearly as much money that way.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....