Posted by Phil Armitage on April 19, 2003 at 12:41:08:
In Reply to: Re: Mares lameness-pedal bone to blame? posted by Danvers on April 07, 2003 at 03:33:08:
: : I have a 7 year old mare that has never had any problems with lameness,until 8 weeks ago when she suddenly went lame when being ridden on the right rein. For a few days this was the only time she was obviously lame, and was sound to trot up and when ridden on the left rein. I called a vet out and he put the problem down to her hip which is slightly asymmetric-he was not my usual vet as I had my horse at college at the time. I did say that her hip had been looked at by my vet at home and he was confident that it wasnt a problem but he insisted that she see a chiropractor so I called one out. This was no help at all so I saw the vet again and he still could not tell me the problem so I decided to take my horse home so she could see my usual vet. He came out and told me straight away that the lameness was in the opposite leg to the one the other vet had told me it was in (the near fore not the off fore) and he was sure the problem was in the foot so he took her shoe off. There was a lot of red bruising around the toe and he was sure that she had done one of two things: injured her pedal bone,or she had a corn. He said if it was corns then the problem would clear up in a few days which it hasnt done so I am assuming it is the pedal bone. She had a weeks course of bute and has had her foot poulticed at night. I am just worried because if anything her lameness is getting much worse,it is now very obvious in walk which it wasnt before. The bruising has gone. I am concerned that the problem could be more serious than just a bruised pedal bone, so I wonder if you might have any idea what the problem could be and if I should investigate further with nerve blocks/xrays. Is there any possibility that it could be fractured? I'm sure my vet would have said if he thought this was a possibility but I'm still concerned. And also, what could have caused this? Could it be shoeing? Thank you.
: Hi Amy,
: It sounds as if you definitely need more diagnostics. There's certainly enough here to confuse me!! A couple of things that lead to my confusion.... The first vet was looking at a problem in the hip, but was seeing a lameness on the off fore? The bruising was evidencing at the toe, yet the second vet was thinking it might be corns? There was a pronounced bruise in the toe of the hoof, but it cleared up? The vet said corns would simply go away with no treatment?
: Hmmmm.... Okay, if it is a bruise, these things can linger for long periods. Likewise, removing the shoe and leaving the hoof unprotected could well exacerbate the problem. Additionally, poulticing the hoof--depending upon what was used as a poultice--could soften the horn and exacerbate the problem.
: Since you don't know what it is, it's pretty much impossible to attribute it to anything, but I would definitely recommend that you get more diagnostics, especially considering that this has been going on for two months and especially since the condition is worsening.
: ~~Danvers
:
Amy, I am also confused, especially with both your Vets. From your description it sounds like niether Vet know how to properly diagnose lameness in a horse. If this is true then I would consider getting a Vet that know horses.
Phil