Posted by Rick Burten on October 03, 2002 at 19:13:05:
In Reply to: Hoof Injury-Partial Pastern Bone Missing-Deep Flexor Tendon Not Attached posted by Dixie Langenwalter on October 03, 2002 at 13:20:01:
: I have a six-month colt, which I have been doctoring since he was about 9 weeks old. He was born April 5th and this injury happened about June 10th. Noticed swelling and in fetlock and pastern area but no open wounds; thought maybe his mom stepped on him. After consulting with vet, put on bute and kept stalled for about 3-4 days. Swelling went down and was turned out during the day. Returned with open wound. Started doctoring and vet was down to check on June 16th. Put on tuciprem and started washing with Novalsan and medicating with Furazone. Continued for about a week but become progressively worse. Vet came back and after examination suggested putting colt down. You could hold the hoof and move it as it was not totally attached but had some hollow areas. Couldn't as I felt that I needed to try to save first. We decided on casting which was left on for five weeks. Casted July 7th and when removing cast wound was healed significantly. At that time it was decided to wash twice daily with water hose pressure, medicate, wrap and keep off as much as possible. This was not a problem as he laid around quite a bit. At this time we also put on biotin to stimulate hoof growth. During these washings, on two separate occasions he lost two pieces of bone. First thought that it was coffin bone. Vet made regular visits every two or two and one-half weeks and was pleased with progress, trimmed hoof and area (he has almost completely grown a new hoof) and decided on next steps. After one of the last visits it was discovered that his deep flexor tendon has not reattached where it needs to be. Gave the bone pieces to him and he was going to consult with a ferrier about the tendon and get his input as to corrective shoeing or other suggestions that he may have to help my colt. This ferrier does a lot with acrylic reconstruction. After consultation with ferrier, they think that these bone pieces are from the main bone rather than coffin bone and wanted to take x-rays. Went for x-rays yesterday (10-02-02) and found that these pieces were from the pastern bone and there is a good size piece of bone missing. Again, putting down was discussed as this missing bone has allowed the pastern bone to relocated and is not fused to anything but rather allowed to move freely. He is afraid that as he continues to grow that this leg/hoof will not be able to support his weight. Wound only has a very small opening yet to close. I don't know what to do at this point. I don't think I can deal with putting him down. The vet doesn't think there is enough bone structure to allow for pins. Questions: Is there a type of shoe to help support some of the weight and keep it off of the hoof as he grows. Do you know of anything to encourage calcium bone mass growth? ANY SUGGESTIONS AT ALL???????????? HELP! HELP!
: Dixie
Why not get a second opinion? Then, you will have to face the question of "Quality of Life". It sounds like this colt's fate is already ordained. Often, the toughest decision is the one to let go.
Rick