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Discussion on What tests would be suitable?
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 25, 2006 - 6:02 am:
Hello Dr O
My 15 yo mare is becoming progressively chronically lame in the right front fetlock - the problem has been developing for several years and to date been managed with rest. I think there are three possible causes:
- sesamoiditis
- arthritis/DJD
- consequences of a flexor tendon injury about 5 years ago
- navicular
I want to keep her comfortable and useful if at all possible as a riding club horse doing a bit of dressage, a few hunter trials and a little 1 m showjumping - maybe 10 outings a year otherwise gentle hacks.
I realise this may not be possible and she may not even be rideable, or it may be quite manageable with appropriate treatment.
To know how best to manage the problem I need a diagnosis of course.
I am quite prepared to stamp my foot and insist on seeing the senior vet at the equine practice not a recently qualified vet in order to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
However first it seems to me I need to work her and wait until the lameness is fairly obvious, and secondly I need to know a bit about what tests should be done to find out the problem.
From reading the articles I would assume they should do:
- observation and flexion tests
- intrarticular nerve blocks to try to localise the pain
- probably x-ray and ultrasound once localised.
Is that roughly right? I will only get a very small amount of the senior vet's time and I always find it useful to have some idea of the appropriate procedures/possible diagnoses when dealing with him.
I did get him to look at her once before about 4 years ago when this first started and he told me he would vet her sound for the sales in the morning, so I don't want that to happen again! I knew she was slightly lame then and it has just got slowly slowly worse.
Thanks.
Imogen
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 25, 2006 - 9:44 am:
Yes though prior to the intra-articular blocks would be the nerve blocks and finally if flexor sheath block relieves the lameness (ie it refers to the flexor tendon within the sheath) syno-tenoscopy can both provide a diagnosis and treatment that may improve your horses prognosis.
DrO
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