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Discussion on Suspensory ligament failure
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Member:
noah
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009 - 1:19 pm:
My horse was diagnosed with "suspensory ligament failure" and was retired years ago. Is that the same thing as desmitis? No therapy or medications were recommended or prescribed at the time and I was told his riding career was over. Over the years his hind legs have gone completely straight and he has bony bulges protruding in front of the hock. He has DrOpped dramatically in the fetlock, but doesn't touch the ground. Was hoping you could tell me where to look for more info on ligament "failure" and how to make him as comfortable as possible. Thank you!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 7:45 am:
Hello Noah,
"Desmitis" means a inflamed ligament. A total failure could represent either a acute or chronic condition of the suspensories but neither term by itself explains why the ligament is diseased. So you need to call the veterinarian and ask for the diagnosis.
The hint that this is a bilateral problem suggest a degenerative condition. See the article Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) and see if that looks familiar to what you are seeing.
DrO
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Member:
noah
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 10:42 am:
Thanks, Dr. O, all of the article and posts on the subject were helpful. I recognize what everyone else has experienced and am now satisfied that the vets were correct and that we did nothing further because there was, in fact, no cure. He is given a gram of bute five mornings a week to make him more comfortable, I can only hope that it does. Thanks again.
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