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 Expert
Posts: 2604
  
Location: Texas | Took horse to vet about three months ago. Horse was lame on front feet (known issue) but when front feet were blocked, was even more lame on right rear in foot. Rehabbed front feet and went back to vet. Horse is now sound in front feet, still significantly lame on right rear. Lameness is NOT obvious when just walking. I actually ran the horse the weekend before I took him back to the vet and he made two of the nicest 1D runs ever. (This horse has a lot of heart.) Vet blocked the rear third of the foot and horse went sound. We waited for that block to wear off and then blocked front part of foot, and he was somewhat better. We injected the coffin joint, which did have excessive fluid in it, and was told to give him two weeks off and see if he improves. Well... he has not improved. Vet said next step is an MRI or turn him out until it resolves. I can get the MRI done for $1100. Just can't decide if it is worth spending the money if I am just going to have to turn him out anyways. Any feedback, advice, experiences? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| If it was myself and it was my 1D horse I would have it done. If you turn the horse out and it is still lame you have to go through all of it again and could be time that you could be back in the saddle. I just like to know what is going on and if I can help them to feel better when they give you their all. Good luck! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| I agree, go ahead with the MRI, that way you will know what you are looking at and can make appropriate plans. If you decide to just turn him out you could be wasting time if it required some type of action in order to get him better. Today a 1D horse is worth making every effort to get him back sound and on the road to competiton. |
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Expert
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Location: Bandera, TX | I totally agree with Tatum and Chuck. This is what I did on one of my horses. Diagnosis is 3/4 of the battle in horses! |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Yea, ya'll are probably right. I guess I'm just afraid that I pay the money for the MRI and they don't find anything specific. That has happened to me before! And it is really hot here right now and so now is a good time to give him the time off anyways. But was wondering since I am staying off him right now due to the heat anyways, maybe he would be better after two months rest without spending the money on the MRI.
Edited by TBone 2015-07-23 2:54 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 302
Location: TX | Just curious.. I have a close friend that is going through a very similar situation. Where can you get an MRI done for $1,100? |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | TBone - 2015-07-23 2:51 PM Yea, ya'll are probably right. I guess I'm just afraid that I pay the money for the MRI and they don't find anything specific. That has happened to me before! And it is really hot here right now and so now is a good time to give him the time off anyways. But was wondering since I am staying off him right now due to the heat anyways, maybe he would be better after two months rest without spending the money on the MRI.
Dr Green is usually in order on 90% of lameness. Turn out and MRI for your peace of mind and your horses good health! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I would go ahead and have it done. I just had a bone scan done on my gelding (mystery lameness) and while it was expensive and I am just going to turn him out until the spring... it was worth it just to remove the headache and paranoia I had of riding him. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | I would discuss it with the vet and ask if it would change the treatment any depending on what the MRI shows. It sounds like the vet has done a lot already and may have an idea of what the problem might be. The vet might be offering that just because it's the only other thing they haven't tried. If the vet thinks the MRI will just confirm that the horse needs to be turned out to heal, I probably wouldn't spend the money. If they think it might show something that will need a different type of treatment, then I would do it. |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | MRI at A&M for $1100 referred by Dr. Honnas (who used to teach/practice at A&M).
Dr. Honnas said treatment would be different depending on if it was bone edema (turn out) or if it was soft tissue i.e. collateral ligament or tendon (stall/run/small pen for 90 days then turn out). But I only have two horses and they are both older, seasoned horses that don't run & play on their own. They just kind of amble around the pasture grazing so I don't see any difference keeping him stalled or turned out. I also don't want to think he is better in 2-3 months and then reinjure trying to come back too soon because I didn't know what the problem was. |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | TBone - 2015-07-23 3:44 PM MRI at A&M for $1100 referred by Dr. Honnas (who used to teach/practice at A&M).
Dr. Honnas said treatment would be different depending on if it was bone edema (turn out) or if it was soft tissue i.e. collateral ligament or tendon (stall/run/small pen for 90 days then turn out). But I only have two horses and they are both older, seasoned horses that don't run & play on their own. They just kind of amble around the pasture grazing so I don't see any difference keeping him stalled or turned out. I also don't want to think he is better in 2-3 months and then reinjure trying to come back too soon because I didn't know what the problem was.
I bet that is one leg only when most MRI prices are priced in pairs. You might check.
Anyhow, please dont rely on a low key horse to maintain himslef. If I had ANY advice to give it would be stall rest is imperative! You can not rely on the horse to follow doctors orders, period or you will be wasting your money no matter which path you choose. It is like bed rest for humans. You can not rely on your horse to regulate himself and his buddy from encouraging play that could ruin your rehab plans. |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Yes, $1100 is for one foot. I think it is $1600 for two.
And yes, if I spend the money for the MRI, I am going to follow the vet's advice to the letter, including if he tells me stall/run for 90 days. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | I am in no way saying that it is ok to go against dr orders; but just want to say that there is some research coming out saying that stall rest shouldn't be the golden rule that it once was.
This is also happening in human research.
Certainly, not for every condition, but for some movement (not wild and fractious) is ok. |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Yes, I would agree. Some controlled movement is good to prevent scar tissue. I have 100% confidence in my vet, and MRI results will determine Rx.
Thanks everyone! |
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