An abcess! That might explain a few things.
It blew through his heel on Sunday. He was reluctant to have his feet soaked in the poultice boots, which is odd as he's been so good with boots so far. Kate left his feet naked the night before and made sure he had lots of bedding to support his feet, to see if he was happier without. And it came through. The heel looked tender so he's had wet and dry poultices and I guess now it's a case of leaving the boots off enough to make sure everything heals over in fresh air, but balancing that with wearing the boots some of the time to support his feet.
In other hoof news, he's shed sole in the fronts so it sounds like they look lovely, although the off fore is still a little under-run looking, and not quite the same shape as the near fore. Time will tell if that will come right, fingers crossed his body is sorting itself out.
So who knows if the abcess caused the lameness and the ligament damage is because of that, or that the abcess came from the change of balance in his feet? One theory (Kate's) is that the abcess couldn't track up through the natural weakness at the coronet band because his outer hoof is very tough now, so it had to track back through the heel. Which must have been very sore. Abcesses are horrid but it's always a relief when you know they are the reason, or part of the reason, for lameness.
I need to chase up the vet really and try and establish what the plan is, if there is one even! And also to him know about the abcess.
Can't say I've been terribly active, although I did go bowling the other night. For my troubles I've now got a sore right hand and have pulled a muscle in my backside. Coupled with the fact I had to wear rented shoes with a velcro fastening, I don't think I'll be bowling again in a hurry!
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Friday 25 September 2009
Progress is slow, but progress all the same
Whilst I, naturally, have yet to see the inside of a gym (don't pretend to be shocked!), Quadi is a happy soul whilst confined to barracks. He's taking the whole thing in his stride. Now that he's settled into a routine there's not shouting or stressing for friends, which is good as less jigging around in the box is good for the thickened ligament.
Kate had noticed he'd been tight in his pecs but this almost disappears when he wears his new fancy hoof boots for part of the day whilst stood in, complete with some cushioning pads :)
He must have very thin soles but I think this arrangement is better than shoes at this time because he gets the support he needs, plus the boots keep his feet out of any muck in the stable. And it also means hoof soaks and disinfectant are of maximum use, I gather the set-back Natural Balance sort of shoe he wears has the downside of trapping dirt more than regular shoes.
Hopefully as the sole thickens and the inner capsule of the hoof migrates up to where it needs to be, his comfort will improve without the boots. He's ok without them but I'm told he's happier in them, to the point that he will lift and wave his feet to have them put back on.
I have to try and get in touch with the vet later today to discuss progress and so on.
Quadi continues to delight those looking after him by making a nuisance of himself, tipping wheelbarrows, trying to climb into wheelbarrows, trying to stand inside his feed bucket. Situation normal for Quadi, and it's great to hear he's being his usual charming self. He gets an empty wheelbarrow to play with whilst being mucked out, funny boy :)
Kate had noticed he'd been tight in his pecs but this almost disappears when he wears his new fancy hoof boots for part of the day whilst stood in, complete with some cushioning pads :)
He must have very thin soles but I think this arrangement is better than shoes at this time because he gets the support he needs, plus the boots keep his feet out of any muck in the stable. And it also means hoof soaks and disinfectant are of maximum use, I gather the set-back Natural Balance sort of shoe he wears has the downside of trapping dirt more than regular shoes.
Hopefully as the sole thickens and the inner capsule of the hoof migrates up to where it needs to be, his comfort will improve without the boots. He's ok without them but I'm told he's happier in them, to the point that he will lift and wave his feet to have them put back on.
I have to try and get in touch with the vet later today to discuss progress and so on.
Quadi continues to delight those looking after him by making a nuisance of himself, tipping wheelbarrows, trying to climb into wheelbarrows, trying to stand inside his feed bucket. Situation normal for Quadi, and it's great to hear he's being his usual charming self. He gets an empty wheelbarrow to play with whilst being mucked out, funny boy :)
Friday 18 September 2009
Exhausted
Have made it offshore without incident, but have yet to venture as far as the gym. I still haven't settled into nightshift so hopefully I'll feel up to it soon. Right now I could use some matchsticks to prop my eyelids open :)
Quadi likes his new booties :) They fit really well with pads in, and Kate has an assortment of the latter to keep him comfortable. The idea is that he will wear them in the stable for part of every day. He's also developed tightness in his pectoral muscles, possibly from trying to hold himself 'up' of his feet?
He's also settled in to life indoors. No more shouting for friends, apparently he barely lifts his head over the door to see which horse is coming or going.
Fin, however, decided it was his turn to have a vet visit when he had another choke. Much worse than his last but he's fine now and spent the night stabled next door to his buddy. He's back out to play now and fingers crossed this really is the last of it. Bliddy ponies eh?
Quadi likes his new booties :) They fit really well with pads in, and Kate has an assortment of the latter to keep him comfortable. The idea is that he will wear them in the stable for part of every day. He's also developed tightness in his pectoral muscles, possibly from trying to hold himself 'up' of his feet?
He's also settled in to life indoors. No more shouting for friends, apparently he barely lifts his head over the door to see which horse is coming or going.
Fin, however, decided it was his turn to have a vet visit when he had another choke. Much worse than his last but he's fine now and spent the night stabled next door to his buddy. He's back out to play now and fingers crossed this really is the last of it. Bliddy ponies eh?
Monday 14 September 2009
Back to work
With not too much fuss, Quadi is settling in well to his new abode. He strongly insisted on being let out of the stable the day we arrived, and part of the day after, but has quickly regained his manners. If anyone's standing watching he head-tosses and pulls faces insisting he is utterly miserable, but if one moves away he tucks straight into his hay and looks perfectly settled and happy. Naughty boy, always looking for attention!
I have pulled all sorts of muscles from mucking out. I think they'd have settled down once I'd gotten into a routine, but since I'm away for the next few weeks anyway I'll just have to rest them!
This morning was spent generally fussing over him and just making sure he was presentable for my friends to look after him. Firstly, a long overdue sheath wash. Ick! I didn't have sufficient warm water to hand to clean him properly, but did give him a scrub with the clean warm water I had and, rather embarrassed and cack-handedly, shoved on some 'personal lubricant' to loosen anything I missed! Normally he tries to hide his widge up around his ears but today I had no such trouble and didn't have to rottle around at all. I did have trouble getting him to hold it still. Rather a happy horse, he was piaffing his back legs and generally showing off! *lol*
He then enjoyed a tail wash which I thought would be nice since he's been rather stressed of late and therefore has had a runny bottom. His tail was clean but the hairs were far from white, they're looking a little brighter now. And he smelled just divine afterwards!
Lastly I soaked his front feet in disinfectant, in some poultice boots. Then I took some photos. I still need some practice at hoof photos, the worst ones I took were of his off-fore! Still, the side profile shows some interesting growth...
Then I tucked him into his stable and explained that I'm heading away for a bit, so he must be a good boy in my absence. I really don't like to leave him when he needs quite so much looking after, but needs must. I also said See You Soon to Fin, he's settled in well and has already made himself a firm friend, a little black Sec D mare :)
So. My blog might become a little more sparse again, it'll be updates from home about Quadi and perhaps, if I feel so inclined, I might venture into the gym. Something seriously lacking from my routine for the past few months :o We'll see how that works out, I'm sure I'll come up with a multitude of excuses...
I have pulled all sorts of muscles from mucking out. I think they'd have settled down once I'd gotten into a routine, but since I'm away for the next few weeks anyway I'll just have to rest them!
This morning was spent generally fussing over him and just making sure he was presentable for my friends to look after him. Firstly, a long overdue sheath wash. Ick! I didn't have sufficient warm water to hand to clean him properly, but did give him a scrub with the clean warm water I had and, rather embarrassed and cack-handedly, shoved on some 'personal lubricant' to loosen anything I missed! Normally he tries to hide his widge up around his ears but today I had no such trouble and didn't have to rottle around at all. I did have trouble getting him to hold it still. Rather a happy horse, he was piaffing his back legs and generally showing off! *lol*
He then enjoyed a tail wash which I thought would be nice since he's been rather stressed of late and therefore has had a runny bottom. His tail was clean but the hairs were far from white, they're looking a little brighter now. And he smelled just divine afterwards!
Lastly I soaked his front feet in disinfectant, in some poultice boots. Then I took some photos. I still need some practice at hoof photos, the worst ones I took were of his off-fore! Still, the side profile shows some interesting growth...
Then I tucked him into his stable and explained that I'm heading away for a bit, so he must be a good boy in my absence. I really don't like to leave him when he needs quite so much looking after, but needs must. I also said See You Soon to Fin, he's settled in well and has already made himself a firm friend, a little black Sec D mare :)
So. My blog might become a little more sparse again, it'll be updates from home about Quadi and perhaps, if I feel so inclined, I might venture into the gym. Something seriously lacking from my routine for the past few months :o We'll see how that works out, I'm sure I'll come up with a multitude of excuses...
Saturday 12 September 2009
Phew!
Glad that's over. What a long day!
Early start to get both boys fed, suited and booted. Actually, I ended up needing help for the latter, all fingers and thumbs I was. Quadi seemed a little less sore having had one Danilon last night and another this morning in preparation for the journey. Kate cut up a gardening kneeling pad to cushion the bottom of a pair of poultice boots, and he wore them in front. He seemed much more comfortable with this arrangement, so we'll be trying a pad-and-boot routine to help support his feet and also keep them out of any dirty parts of the stable.
We started with Quadi since his issue is not the trailer itself, or lack of experience in trailer travel. For him it's now a big deal because he thinks he's going to another vet for more jabs :(
He didn't look as if he would play ball this morning, he wasn't terribly driven to eat the sweeties being offered. So we opted straight for a lunge line, but then that became an issue because he wasn't happy with me moving around his bottom. A very generous helper and a lunge line were procured. One line was just a visual aid so that he would stop looking for an escape route out to the left, and I was on the right. Kate directed us firstly in baby steps to stand in line with the trailer and then I slunk around him. Again, we decided that we would put no pressure on him until he backed into the line, which brought it into play. Otherwise I just held the slack out of it around his bottom. Kate asked and released with the headcollar, there's not much more you can do with a padded leather halter! Took a fraction longer than loading at the vet the other day but he went on.
A little bit of hat-dancing once in there, he was very stressed and we're sure once Fin started loading he was trying to tell him to save himself! FIn just needed a few advances and retreats and was cool as you about the whole thing. Because he stood very still this helped calm Quadi down. He wasn't terrible, but was quivering before we even loaded him. So very pleasing really. He didn't think to fight us because we didn't give that as an option. And most of Fin's travelling has been between countries so extra-pleasing that he was so willing. We'd have forgiven them a lot more hassle, and were ready at any time to make two trips, one horse at a time.
The short journey went without incident and they travelled wonderfully. And off the trailer so calmly to their new digs.
It is, however, hard to explain to Quadi that he is on box rest, particularly when we have to remove the only constant he has in Fin, who of course is sound and healthy and allowed to be turned out!
I was a little concerned he might try and forcibly remove the door between him and the outside world but he did settle once he started eating ;) So full of bluster but not much gets past his tummy!
I went back tonight and Quadi was much calmer since he had a little pony mare next door to talk to. The stable he is in at the moment has a window he can chat to her through. They don't seem best of friends but happy with another equine for company. I do hope he isn't too distraught when she is turned out in the morning.
I gave him some ACP as a precaution. Not something I'd normally need to do but he has been through a lot recently and has been expressing his distaste at yet another disturbance in his little world. So hopefully he'll have a settled night. He has a runny bottom still which is understandable, life is stressful right now.
I'm praying for the weather to cool. It was stuffy in his stable today, it really was very hot. I wetted a body brush and cooled his neck and chest with that. But frankly, I am happy autumn is on the way.
No photos because time just got away from me and I was dog-tired by the end of the day. My throat is much worse and I'm not happy at how much I struggled with the physical aspects of today, shifting all our tack! I'm going away on Tuesday so I feel that whilst I ought to be happier that it's a little bittersweet to move right before I go.
What a dullard! I shan't complain further, I just need more sleep!
Early start to get both boys fed, suited and booted. Actually, I ended up needing help for the latter, all fingers and thumbs I was. Quadi seemed a little less sore having had one Danilon last night and another this morning in preparation for the journey. Kate cut up a gardening kneeling pad to cushion the bottom of a pair of poultice boots, and he wore them in front. He seemed much more comfortable with this arrangement, so we'll be trying a pad-and-boot routine to help support his feet and also keep them out of any dirty parts of the stable.
We started with Quadi since his issue is not the trailer itself, or lack of experience in trailer travel. For him it's now a big deal because he thinks he's going to another vet for more jabs :(
He didn't look as if he would play ball this morning, he wasn't terribly driven to eat the sweeties being offered. So we opted straight for a lunge line, but then that became an issue because he wasn't happy with me moving around his bottom. A very generous helper and a lunge line were procured. One line was just a visual aid so that he would stop looking for an escape route out to the left, and I was on the right. Kate directed us firstly in baby steps to stand in line with the trailer and then I slunk around him. Again, we decided that we would put no pressure on him until he backed into the line, which brought it into play. Otherwise I just held the slack out of it around his bottom. Kate asked and released with the headcollar, there's not much more you can do with a padded leather halter! Took a fraction longer than loading at the vet the other day but he went on.
A little bit of hat-dancing once in there, he was very stressed and we're sure once Fin started loading he was trying to tell him to save himself! FIn just needed a few advances and retreats and was cool as you about the whole thing. Because he stood very still this helped calm Quadi down. He wasn't terrible, but was quivering before we even loaded him. So very pleasing really. He didn't think to fight us because we didn't give that as an option. And most of Fin's travelling has been between countries so extra-pleasing that he was so willing. We'd have forgiven them a lot more hassle, and were ready at any time to make two trips, one horse at a time.
The short journey went without incident and they travelled wonderfully. And off the trailer so calmly to their new digs.
It is, however, hard to explain to Quadi that he is on box rest, particularly when we have to remove the only constant he has in Fin, who of course is sound and healthy and allowed to be turned out!
I was a little concerned he might try and forcibly remove the door between him and the outside world but he did settle once he started eating ;) So full of bluster but not much gets past his tummy!
I went back tonight and Quadi was much calmer since he had a little pony mare next door to talk to. The stable he is in at the moment has a window he can chat to her through. They don't seem best of friends but happy with another equine for company. I do hope he isn't too distraught when she is turned out in the morning.
I gave him some ACP as a precaution. Not something I'd normally need to do but he has been through a lot recently and has been expressing his distaste at yet another disturbance in his little world. So hopefully he'll have a settled night. He has a runny bottom still which is understandable, life is stressful right now.
I'm praying for the weather to cool. It was stuffy in his stable today, it really was very hot. I wetted a body brush and cooled his neck and chest with that. But frankly, I am happy autumn is on the way.
No photos because time just got away from me and I was dog-tired by the end of the day. My throat is much worse and I'm not happy at how much I struggled with the physical aspects of today, shifting all our tack! I'm going away on Tuesday so I feel that whilst I ought to be happier that it's a little bittersweet to move right before I go.
What a dullard! I shan't complain further, I just need more sleep!
Friday 11 September 2009
And I was feeling so positive
This morning was my first encounter with Quadi since Monday. He greeted me stood in the back of his stable on his bed, and seemed reluctant to move any closer :( The YM told me he was foot-sore when she moved him out to muck out/skip out whilst I was away. When I moved him out to do the same thing this morning, I thought he had laminitis, he's so sore! He is obviously feeling very tender on thin soles.
He is actually a little better once he moves a few steps, so I think it's partly stiffness from being stood in. I'm doing everything I can. Hay fed from the floor. Regular stretch exercises. Strapping. So at least he isn't standing abnormally. But I can't conjure him some thicker soles :(
The YM said he didn't exactly enjoy his farrier visit whilst I was away. He came to remove the remaining three shoes. Quadi saw the farrier and, upon crossing the threshold of his stable, zoomed up to the opposite end of the block. And was kicking out to have his hind-shoes removed :(
Because we are moving the boys tomorrow, I went to B&Q to pick up some duct tape and a kneeling mat for gardening that I'll cut up into hoof pads. Kate is also loaning me her poultice boots so we can get them on the front too, to give him all the support we can for the short journey to the new yard. I also gave him one Danilon this evening and he'll get one more tomorrow first thing. He won't be able to do anything to strain the ligament whilst in the trailer but the toe pain will at least be dulled enough that we shouldn't have too many issues with loading.
I went back this evening to skip out and give him some more attention. My first intention was to wash his tail but I couldn't find his shampoo. So that will have to wait. Which is a shame as he's not looking his best, having a bit of a runny backside too. The Yea-Sacc I ordered from Metabolic Horse couldn't have arrived too soon, so he's now on that too to help balance things out in his guts.
He's had two grooming sessions with Fin today, the first one today was strange because he was grabbing Fin by the back and biting quite hard, Fin was swaying out of his grip and then coming back for more, his top lip quivering! It looked very rough but Fin seemed to enjoy it and Quadi seemed happy to oblige/indulge. We're back to one crock and one itchy horse, just like a couple of months ago :(
Can't say I'm feeling too positive this evening. Quadi really did look sore, I wish it were possible to scoop them up and hug them :( I hope I'm doing the right thing by him. I'm going offshore on Tuesday so it's a hundred times harder knowing I'll have to leave him, even in the most capable of hands ;)
The plan is to get him into pads whilst stood in too, because he'll be bedded on straw so this doesn't offer quite the same support as a shavings bed, or similar. Once he is safely ensconced at the new place, I'll get his feet scrubbed out and disinfected so that I can take lots of photos.
He is actually a little better once he moves a few steps, so I think it's partly stiffness from being stood in. I'm doing everything I can. Hay fed from the floor. Regular stretch exercises. Strapping. So at least he isn't standing abnormally. But I can't conjure him some thicker soles :(
The YM said he didn't exactly enjoy his farrier visit whilst I was away. He came to remove the remaining three shoes. Quadi saw the farrier and, upon crossing the threshold of his stable, zoomed up to the opposite end of the block. And was kicking out to have his hind-shoes removed :(
Because we are moving the boys tomorrow, I went to B&Q to pick up some duct tape and a kneeling mat for gardening that I'll cut up into hoof pads. Kate is also loaning me her poultice boots so we can get them on the front too, to give him all the support we can for the short journey to the new yard. I also gave him one Danilon this evening and he'll get one more tomorrow first thing. He won't be able to do anything to strain the ligament whilst in the trailer but the toe pain will at least be dulled enough that we shouldn't have too many issues with loading.
I went back this evening to skip out and give him some more attention. My first intention was to wash his tail but I couldn't find his shampoo. So that will have to wait. Which is a shame as he's not looking his best, having a bit of a runny backside too. The Yea-Sacc I ordered from Metabolic Horse couldn't have arrived too soon, so he's now on that too to help balance things out in his guts.
He's had two grooming sessions with Fin today, the first one today was strange because he was grabbing Fin by the back and biting quite hard, Fin was swaying out of his grip and then coming back for more, his top lip quivering! It looked very rough but Fin seemed to enjoy it and Quadi seemed happy to oblige/indulge. We're back to one crock and one itchy horse, just like a couple of months ago :(
Can't say I'm feeling too positive this evening. Quadi really did look sore, I wish it were possible to scoop them up and hug them :( I hope I'm doing the right thing by him. I'm going offshore on Tuesday so it's a hundred times harder knowing I'll have to leave him, even in the most capable of hands ;)
The plan is to get him into pads whilst stood in too, because he'll be bedded on straw so this doesn't offer quite the same support as a shavings bed, or similar. Once he is safely ensconced at the new place, I'll get his feet scrubbed out and disinfected so that I can take lots of photos.
Thursday 10 September 2009
Some articles
Just what I've found from Google. I haven't read them all properly and fully digested yet mind you!
http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/AAEP/2002/910102000343.PDF
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15038440
http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/aaep/2000/380.pdf
The latter being not quite-so-relevant but still lots of interesting information out there. Also, I thought this thread on EE was rather timely:
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php/topic,36792.0.html
Best wishes to this horse and his owner.
I do feel perhaps I ought to have called the vet sooner but mercifully it seems Quadi should make a good recovery, although with an(other) issue I will always have to keep an eye on. Frankly, with all the little grumbles and niggles going on in his feet that we discovered as an aside, it would only be a matter of time before he becomes permanently unsound. So if we come through this and I have a horse happy to be back in work, every day's a blessing. If that sort of pedestrian statement doesn't make anyone gag *lol*
eta: I can't get links to work, you'll just have to copy and paste!
http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/AAEP/2002/910102000343.PDF
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15038440
http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/aaep/2000/380.pdf
The latter being not quite-so-relevant but still lots of interesting information out there. Also, I thought this thread on EE was rather timely:
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php/topic,36792.0.html
Best wishes to this horse and his owner.
I do feel perhaps I ought to have called the vet sooner but mercifully it seems Quadi should make a good recovery, although with an(other) issue I will always have to keep an eye on. Frankly, with all the little grumbles and niggles going on in his feet that we discovered as an aside, it would only be a matter of time before he becomes permanently unsound. So if we come through this and I have a horse happy to be back in work, every day's a blessing. If that sort of pedestrian statement doesn't make anyone gag *lol*
eta: I can't get links to work, you'll just have to copy and paste!
Tuesday 8 September 2009
3 months R&R
Finally, we have answers!
I was rather tired getting home last night so forgive the belated update.
Firstly I suppose I should reveal that the diagnosis is Medial Collateral Ligament Desmitis, coupled with an astonishing case of seedy toe.
Quadi was slightly sedated as is standard for these things, but I'd heard he'd been an angel since being dropped off on Sunday night. So clearly I bring out the worst in him *lol*
The shoe was removed and the vet had a good look around, since what we knew at this point was that it was a foot problem and probably something at the front. No reaction to hoof testers and then the vet had a good look at the sole and white line, whereupon he found a gaping hole and very clear separation of the hoof wall :( I didn't have the presence of mind yesterday to take a photo but it was hard to miss. It wasn't there when Quadi pulled the shoe the day he had his first x-rays, but the infection has to have been grumbling away for some time.
With that in mind, the next step was x-rays. I donned lead vest and my job was to hold Quadi so that the vet nurse could run back and forth with plates. He was such a poppet, very compliant (must drug him more often!) and at one point when the vet was out of the room he stood with his foot on the block for the entire time.
Once all the images were taken I was invited through to have a look at them on the computer. Digital images are so much easier to look at! Firstly, the infected hoof wall. It was clear as day, and it tracks very far up. Quadi doesn't have strength in the stuctures of his heels yet and as such doesn't really cope with heel-first landing. So toe-first landing coupled with this infection has meant he's now got a very sore foot. The special set-back shoes he wears, by their very design, can trap dirt and much under them so it's just plain bad luck. I guess I could have been disinfecting them when he was being shod but it wasn't apparent from the outside there was anything untoward in there.
He also has a few niggling changes of the various bones in his foot. Mostly the pedal bone. He was a sidebone in that off fore, and a few little ossifications but they appear incidental and as a result of previous bad foot balance most likely. Not surprising. He notably has some changes over the face of the pedal bone, where it runs parallel to the hoof wall. They denote laminitis, so he's definitely suffered from that at some point. Again, I'd assumed this was the case. It's just really good to know that both myself and Kate are spotting indicators of these things from the outside!
Just to be super-safe, we pressed on and also looked at his lower leg with ultrasound. Belts and braces and all that. At first everything was looking very healthy but a problem was spotted with the medial CL. The vet explained that there was some thickening at one side of the top-third but that two-thirds of this ligament are in the hoof below where the ultrasound machine can detect. He also explained that this was perhaps an issue but we should compare it to the CL on the near fore. If they matched, then they were probably healthy but if not then this would fit with the lameness pattern we've seen.
The other ligament looked much healthier I'm told. I say I'm told because although I could see the images, side-by-side, and had a vet showing me what to look for, for all I know Quadi could be having a baby because ultrasounds all look the same to me! But the medial CL on the off fore just wasn't looking as 'pretty' and healthy, and overall was harder to get a clear image of.
In order to see the bottom two-thirds of the ligament, he would have needed and MRI which would mean a trip to one of the vet hospitals down south. But the examining vet here said that the treatment would be no different. He also said that it could be a chonic issue that has been exacerbated by something. A knock or jarring, changes in foot balance, walking oddly on account of the seedy toe, etc. And that he'd be very disappointed if Quadi didn't come sound once we'd treated both issues.
So, rest is what the doctor orders. 4 weeks on total rest, then another two weeks with walking in-hand, then onto a small paddock for another few weeks. At that point he recommended a rescan. Oh, and we'll have to remove the infected hoof wall but the good thing is he'll be in anyway!
He loaded up really well to come home. Wasn't really interested in food at all so we used the lunge line, and he walked in! At least we have a tool we can use now, we know where the buttons are.
I was, prior to all of the veterinary diagnosis, feeling blue about the prospect of Quadi not working. I was told he must be in work to have a healthy back. But he looks GOOD for a horse doing no work, so everything Kate was doing with him agreed with him immensely, as well as the farrier, the physio and the equine massage therapist. I am more positive that this is merely a moment to treat water, not a step back. And he will be doing stretches and will be strapped and groomed, and will have access to stable toys. Frankly, I feel that as long as there's hay he'll be happy enough!
At the moment he's stood in his stable at the livery with one and a half shaved legs and three shoes on! I'm away for a couple of days so not much to report until the weekend....when we move yards! It'll be nice and quiet there for Quadi to rest and convalesce. And Fin will have a lovely broodmare as a companion until we're all back to turnout. Very exciting!
I, on the other hand, developed a cough, tight chest and sore ears when I got home so I feel a little ragged today. Didn't realise quite how stressed I was before, but I'll survive!
I was rather tired getting home last night so forgive the belated update.
Firstly I suppose I should reveal that the diagnosis is Medial Collateral Ligament Desmitis, coupled with an astonishing case of seedy toe.
Quadi was slightly sedated as is standard for these things, but I'd heard he'd been an angel since being dropped off on Sunday night. So clearly I bring out the worst in him *lol*
The shoe was removed and the vet had a good look around, since what we knew at this point was that it was a foot problem and probably something at the front. No reaction to hoof testers and then the vet had a good look at the sole and white line, whereupon he found a gaping hole and very clear separation of the hoof wall :( I didn't have the presence of mind yesterday to take a photo but it was hard to miss. It wasn't there when Quadi pulled the shoe the day he had his first x-rays, but the infection has to have been grumbling away for some time.
With that in mind, the next step was x-rays. I donned lead vest and my job was to hold Quadi so that the vet nurse could run back and forth with plates. He was such a poppet, very compliant (must drug him more often!) and at one point when the vet was out of the room he stood with his foot on the block for the entire time.
Once all the images were taken I was invited through to have a look at them on the computer. Digital images are so much easier to look at! Firstly, the infected hoof wall. It was clear as day, and it tracks very far up. Quadi doesn't have strength in the stuctures of his heels yet and as such doesn't really cope with heel-first landing. So toe-first landing coupled with this infection has meant he's now got a very sore foot. The special set-back shoes he wears, by their very design, can trap dirt and much under them so it's just plain bad luck. I guess I could have been disinfecting them when he was being shod but it wasn't apparent from the outside there was anything untoward in there.
He also has a few niggling changes of the various bones in his foot. Mostly the pedal bone. He was a sidebone in that off fore, and a few little ossifications but they appear incidental and as a result of previous bad foot balance most likely. Not surprising. He notably has some changes over the face of the pedal bone, where it runs parallel to the hoof wall. They denote laminitis, so he's definitely suffered from that at some point. Again, I'd assumed this was the case. It's just really good to know that both myself and Kate are spotting indicators of these things from the outside!
Just to be super-safe, we pressed on and also looked at his lower leg with ultrasound. Belts and braces and all that. At first everything was looking very healthy but a problem was spotted with the medial CL. The vet explained that there was some thickening at one side of the top-third but that two-thirds of this ligament are in the hoof below where the ultrasound machine can detect. He also explained that this was perhaps an issue but we should compare it to the CL on the near fore. If they matched, then they were probably healthy but if not then this would fit with the lameness pattern we've seen.
The other ligament looked much healthier I'm told. I say I'm told because although I could see the images, side-by-side, and had a vet showing me what to look for, for all I know Quadi could be having a baby because ultrasounds all look the same to me! But the medial CL on the off fore just wasn't looking as 'pretty' and healthy, and overall was harder to get a clear image of.
In order to see the bottom two-thirds of the ligament, he would have needed and MRI which would mean a trip to one of the vet hospitals down south. But the examining vet here said that the treatment would be no different. He also said that it could be a chonic issue that has been exacerbated by something. A knock or jarring, changes in foot balance, walking oddly on account of the seedy toe, etc. And that he'd be very disappointed if Quadi didn't come sound once we'd treated both issues.
So, rest is what the doctor orders. 4 weeks on total rest, then another two weeks with walking in-hand, then onto a small paddock for another few weeks. At that point he recommended a rescan. Oh, and we'll have to remove the infected hoof wall but the good thing is he'll be in anyway!
He loaded up really well to come home. Wasn't really interested in food at all so we used the lunge line, and he walked in! At least we have a tool we can use now, we know where the buttons are.
I was, prior to all of the veterinary diagnosis, feeling blue about the prospect of Quadi not working. I was told he must be in work to have a healthy back. But he looks GOOD for a horse doing no work, so everything Kate was doing with him agreed with him immensely, as well as the farrier, the physio and the equine massage therapist. I am more positive that this is merely a moment to treat water, not a step back. And he will be doing stretches and will be strapped and groomed, and will have access to stable toys. Frankly, I feel that as long as there's hay he'll be happy enough!
At the moment he's stood in his stable at the livery with one and a half shaved legs and three shoes on! I'm away for a couple of days so not much to report until the weekend....when we move yards! It'll be nice and quiet there for Quadi to rest and convalesce. And Fin will have a lovely broodmare as a companion until we're all back to turnout. Very exciting!
I, on the other hand, developed a cough, tight chest and sore ears when I got home so I feel a little ragged today. Didn't realise quite how stressed I was before, but I'll survive!
Sunday 6 September 2009
Feets for treats
Today was a little stressful again for Quadi.
He'd had a good night in as far as I can gather. Not much hay remained and several signs that he'd had a good lie down and snooze. Very grumpy mind you, doesn't matter what I do with him, it's just not the same as working and getting out and about. He has taken to having his neck muscles slapped! It's very strange, strapping him with the palm of your hand elicits the same nose-twitching and neck-arching that scratching does. I even stuck the points of my knuckles above his scapula and he was in heaven. So he's definitely tight through there. An area we have yet to fully unlock but I think has worsened with all the horrible things happening to the poor boy just now!
Because I haven't my own transport thus far, Kate offered to drop him off at Horsepital tonight in order that he's ready for examination tomorrow, and she can collect us on the way home :)
I didn't feel nervous about travelling him today as he was such a superstar on Friday. I prepared some Magic feed (just regular mix, not something he's ever fed so very tempting!) and my pockets were brimming with herb treats. Suited and booted, we headed for the trailer. He was understandably apprehensive but did advance and retreat, making progress each time. But we never really progressed. The trailer doesn't bother him, it lovely and light and airy inside and he clearly had no problem being in there. I think we was more concerned with where he was headed! We explained that he was going to the vets but no horribleness this time, only one injection for sedation and that would be it. We also explained that horses who have their feet in the trailer get edible prizes...Feets for Treats. And that horses standing outside get no treats, no prizes for being outside the trailer!
He wasn't buying it, eventually he stopped responding to treats. We decided to take a few steps back and opened up the partition as much as it would allow with the aim of walking him through a few times. This proved equally fruitless! We were offered a small Shetland to give him a lead through, said Shetland is particularly good at this task and Quadi just adores Shetties. Just not enough to go into the trailer in this instance.
I remembered when he was collected from the vet in Devon that our lovely transporter used a lunge line around his back end to encourage him forwards. At this point Quadi was stood on the ramp of the trailer with a blank expression on his face. He wasn't going to play anymore. We figured we had to apply a little pressure but obviously being careful in doing this, so I fetched a lunge line. I hooked it into the side of the trailer and had it ready around his bottom, the idea being it would only come into play when he backed into it and pressure wasn't being applied to his headcollar. Although really we were using food to encourage him in, I don't think anyone's ever loaded a horse by dragging it in by the head!
Well, he backed off and stepped into the line. I held it so that there was no slack but not firm against him. He paused and walked in! I deftly applied the bum bar and we were set, much praise for a clever pony! I don't think we would have been so successful using the line earlier, but I'm so pleased that he complied knowing that we probably headed to the V.E.T.
He travelled beautifully and unloaded calmly, settled into his stable with a mouthful of hay and that's where I've left him for thie night. We resume investigations tomorrow afternoon.
I really want an answer, I have a horrid feeling we'll get nowhere and they'll assume soft tissue injury with lengthy box rest.
Also visited our new yard today, after tomorrow and hopefully a diagnosis the details of our move should be clearer.
He'd had a good night in as far as I can gather. Not much hay remained and several signs that he'd had a good lie down and snooze. Very grumpy mind you, doesn't matter what I do with him, it's just not the same as working and getting out and about. He has taken to having his neck muscles slapped! It's very strange, strapping him with the palm of your hand elicits the same nose-twitching and neck-arching that scratching does. I even stuck the points of my knuckles above his scapula and he was in heaven. So he's definitely tight through there. An area we have yet to fully unlock but I think has worsened with all the horrible things happening to the poor boy just now!
Because I haven't my own transport thus far, Kate offered to drop him off at Horsepital tonight in order that he's ready for examination tomorrow, and she can collect us on the way home :)
I didn't feel nervous about travelling him today as he was such a superstar on Friday. I prepared some Magic feed (just regular mix, not something he's ever fed so very tempting!) and my pockets were brimming with herb treats. Suited and booted, we headed for the trailer. He was understandably apprehensive but did advance and retreat, making progress each time. But we never really progressed. The trailer doesn't bother him, it lovely and light and airy inside and he clearly had no problem being in there. I think we was more concerned with where he was headed! We explained that he was going to the vets but no horribleness this time, only one injection for sedation and that would be it. We also explained that horses who have their feet in the trailer get edible prizes...Feets for Treats. And that horses standing outside get no treats, no prizes for being outside the trailer!
He wasn't buying it, eventually he stopped responding to treats. We decided to take a few steps back and opened up the partition as much as it would allow with the aim of walking him through a few times. This proved equally fruitless! We were offered a small Shetland to give him a lead through, said Shetland is particularly good at this task and Quadi just adores Shetties. Just not enough to go into the trailer in this instance.
I remembered when he was collected from the vet in Devon that our lovely transporter used a lunge line around his back end to encourage him forwards. At this point Quadi was stood on the ramp of the trailer with a blank expression on his face. He wasn't going to play anymore. We figured we had to apply a little pressure but obviously being careful in doing this, so I fetched a lunge line. I hooked it into the side of the trailer and had it ready around his bottom, the idea being it would only come into play when he backed into it and pressure wasn't being applied to his headcollar. Although really we were using food to encourage him in, I don't think anyone's ever loaded a horse by dragging it in by the head!
Well, he backed off and stepped into the line. I held it so that there was no slack but not firm against him. He paused and walked in! I deftly applied the bum bar and we were set, much praise for a clever pony! I don't think we would have been so successful using the line earlier, but I'm so pleased that he complied knowing that we probably headed to the V.E.T.
He travelled beautifully and unloaded calmly, settled into his stable with a mouthful of hay and that's where I've left him for thie night. We resume investigations tomorrow afternoon.
I really want an answer, I have a horrid feeling we'll get nowhere and they'll assume soft tissue injury with lengthy box rest.
Also visited our new yard today, after tomorrow and hopefully a diagnosis the details of our move should be clearer.
Saturday 5 September 2009
Pony judo
There aren't enough hours in the day! An update, 24 hours shy of when I should have posted.
Friday's vet visit went well, albeit late! I arrived at the yard to see the vet we were being referred to treating an emergency. He said he would be running an hour late but to be honest by the time we finally got started at the vet's it was two hours later, and this was Friday afternoon.
Our loading practice has paid off, he loaded without much fuss. A few attempts getting in, and I was a bit leery about the Bum Bar but once he was in he just stood and got sweeties whilst Kate did ramps and doors. Very pleased, and he travelled beautifully, we could see him through the window in the trailer! :D
X-rays were handed over to the vet for his perusal, he agreed that the changes in the bone shown on x-ray could easily be incidental, that they might not be a problem at all, more a symptom of something else and could easily be a biological reaction to something very historic.
First things first, walk and trot ups. He was about 2/10 lame in trot on the straight. Next were flexion tests, although poor Mr Quadi was terribly unhappy about a vet being anywhere near him, as patient and quiet as the vet was! So it meant having Kate lift up the leg for inspection and then handing him over to the vet for flexion! This didn't make him any more lame, so onto the lunge where he was visibly far more lame on the right rein, and even more so lunged in trot on a hard surface. So whilst he has improved there's still something causing him a problem. Quadi didn't seem to think there was any need to be at Horsepital and took me water-skiing on no less than three occassions! I just haven't the upper body strength to deal with this repeatedly but luckily he didn't get too far before I stopped him and/or we were both rescued! He always shows me up but never mind, wouldn't be my horse if he didn't!
As planned, the first course of action was to block the coffin joint and see if this made a difference. Here's where I must admit I absolved myself of responsibility at this point and thought it best not to be present for the actual needling. I had been told it can be quite traumatic (in the end it wasn't!) and knowing what Quadi would be like, I didn't want to see it go wrong. As far as horses are concerned, nervous people are best out of seeing and smelling distance!
But first of course we had to get the dear boy into the stocks, which was safer all round. We did the same advance and retreat as we used with the trailer, and some magic feed, and he was in, no problem. Then I cleared off outside! Moments passed, then minutes, and a few bangs and clatters could be heard. After many minutes I stuck my head into the barn to see what was happening, to see vet nurses, vets and Kate all stood! The twitch had yet to be applied, which was very necessary to do much else with him. In the end another very confident vet managed, and I bogged off again. After all his stuff and bluster about the twitch, Quadi stood like a rock for the actual jab! Typical, and as predicted!
This block made no difference so we waited for it to take effect over the whole joint, and still nothing at walk and trot, and even trotting on a circle on a hard surface. I was growing weary with the trotting at this point, and I wasn't the only one having to do it.
The next block was at the heel. Nada, still nodding in trot. By this point we were basically at COP for the day so the final block was for the pastern and below. Bingo! Sound in walk and trot. He was also brilliant for these blocks, we did them in the stable and Quadi didn't require intervention from anyone other than the vet. The jabs were met with a small flinch and grunt, which is a perfectly adequate response really!
Sadly this doesn't give us much more than a widened search area than we ever thought! But at least we know it's somewhere down there, halfway through the afternoon on Friday it was beginning to look like a shoulder issue. Or hoof balance, since he places the off fore oddly but we are still trying to adjust balance with every trim.
So he's booked in for Monday afternoon, and all this being well he'll spend the night at the vet's on Sunday night so that he can be seen any point the vet isn't running off for emergencies. He'll have full radiography of the suspicious areas and ultrasound of the soft tissue.
Loading him to come home felt a little stickier, since he wasn't as keen to load for treats. The truth is, we were nothing short of pummeling treats down his neck every time the vet handled him! I managed to source more magic feed to load him and he was in after some forwards and backwards. In truth, he took no longer than loading at home, it was just my fatigue meaning I wasn't handling him as well as I should have.
I'm trying not to worry about what this might be, but sufficient to say all sorts of scenarios are careering wildly in my mind...
Quadi is under house arrest as he sees it until he goes back tomorrow night. Comments have been made about the change in his attitude being out of work. Despite giving him as much attention as I can, and the fact that he's not the buzziest workaholic to be found, he does like to work and isn't happy about the layoff. And now that he's on box rest there is much face-pulling and general mardiness.
Oh, and one of the vets asked if he was a Connie or Welsh cross...! I don't mind that at all, both breed are terrific, but said vet had just gotten back from Portugal and was up to his eyes in Portuguese ponies *lol*
Fingers crossed again for another smooth loading and journey tomorrow, and I do hope he's still speaking to me at the end of all of this! And for less wrestling with him this time, I'm not sure my muscles will take it. I do feel for him, we just haven't had a minute to practice Good Behaviour for Vets!
Friday's vet visit went well, albeit late! I arrived at the yard to see the vet we were being referred to treating an emergency. He said he would be running an hour late but to be honest by the time we finally got started at the vet's it was two hours later, and this was Friday afternoon.
Our loading practice has paid off, he loaded without much fuss. A few attempts getting in, and I was a bit leery about the Bum Bar but once he was in he just stood and got sweeties whilst Kate did ramps and doors. Very pleased, and he travelled beautifully, we could see him through the window in the trailer! :D
X-rays were handed over to the vet for his perusal, he agreed that the changes in the bone shown on x-ray could easily be incidental, that they might not be a problem at all, more a symptom of something else and could easily be a biological reaction to something very historic.
First things first, walk and trot ups. He was about 2/10 lame in trot on the straight. Next were flexion tests, although poor Mr Quadi was terribly unhappy about a vet being anywhere near him, as patient and quiet as the vet was! So it meant having Kate lift up the leg for inspection and then handing him over to the vet for flexion! This didn't make him any more lame, so onto the lunge where he was visibly far more lame on the right rein, and even more so lunged in trot on a hard surface. So whilst he has improved there's still something causing him a problem. Quadi didn't seem to think there was any need to be at Horsepital and took me water-skiing on no less than three occassions! I just haven't the upper body strength to deal with this repeatedly but luckily he didn't get too far before I stopped him and/or we were both rescued! He always shows me up but never mind, wouldn't be my horse if he didn't!
As planned, the first course of action was to block the coffin joint and see if this made a difference. Here's where I must admit I absolved myself of responsibility at this point and thought it best not to be present for the actual needling. I had been told it can be quite traumatic (in the end it wasn't!) and knowing what Quadi would be like, I didn't want to see it go wrong. As far as horses are concerned, nervous people are best out of seeing and smelling distance!
But first of course we had to get the dear boy into the stocks, which was safer all round. We did the same advance and retreat as we used with the trailer, and some magic feed, and he was in, no problem. Then I cleared off outside! Moments passed, then minutes, and a few bangs and clatters could be heard. After many minutes I stuck my head into the barn to see what was happening, to see vet nurses, vets and Kate all stood! The twitch had yet to be applied, which was very necessary to do much else with him. In the end another very confident vet managed, and I bogged off again. After all his stuff and bluster about the twitch, Quadi stood like a rock for the actual jab! Typical, and as predicted!
This block made no difference so we waited for it to take effect over the whole joint, and still nothing at walk and trot, and even trotting on a circle on a hard surface. I was growing weary with the trotting at this point, and I wasn't the only one having to do it.
The next block was at the heel. Nada, still nodding in trot. By this point we were basically at COP for the day so the final block was for the pastern and below. Bingo! Sound in walk and trot. He was also brilliant for these blocks, we did them in the stable and Quadi didn't require intervention from anyone other than the vet. The jabs were met with a small flinch and grunt, which is a perfectly adequate response really!
Sadly this doesn't give us much more than a widened search area than we ever thought! But at least we know it's somewhere down there, halfway through the afternoon on Friday it was beginning to look like a shoulder issue. Or hoof balance, since he places the off fore oddly but we are still trying to adjust balance with every trim.
So he's booked in for Monday afternoon, and all this being well he'll spend the night at the vet's on Sunday night so that he can be seen any point the vet isn't running off for emergencies. He'll have full radiography of the suspicious areas and ultrasound of the soft tissue.
Loading him to come home felt a little stickier, since he wasn't as keen to load for treats. The truth is, we were nothing short of pummeling treats down his neck every time the vet handled him! I managed to source more magic feed to load him and he was in after some forwards and backwards. In truth, he took no longer than loading at home, it was just my fatigue meaning I wasn't handling him as well as I should have.
I'm trying not to worry about what this might be, but sufficient to say all sorts of scenarios are careering wildly in my mind...
Quadi is under house arrest as he sees it until he goes back tomorrow night. Comments have been made about the change in his attitude being out of work. Despite giving him as much attention as I can, and the fact that he's not the buzziest workaholic to be found, he does like to work and isn't happy about the layoff. And now that he's on box rest there is much face-pulling and general mardiness.
Oh, and one of the vets asked if he was a Connie or Welsh cross...! I don't mind that at all, both breed are terrific, but said vet had just gotten back from Portugal and was up to his eyes in Portuguese ponies *lol*
Fingers crossed again for another smooth loading and journey tomorrow, and I do hope he's still speaking to me at the end of all of this! And for less wrestling with him this time, I'm not sure my muscles will take it. I do feel for him, we just haven't had a minute to practice Good Behaviour for Vets!
Thursday 3 September 2009
More injections
Not much to report from us.
Quadi's pretty bored! We've been doing stretches as per Celia Cohen's 'Stretchy Horses' DVD, but the stretches that require treats tend to wind him up a little & bring out his worst manners! I think he'd be better being able to do something more, he likes spending time with people. He's hardly a workaholic but certainly seems jealous of the attention Fin gets for having more to do!
We've also been doing trailer-practice. We started this in preparation to move but obviously now it's to take him to the vet, so moving yard might be more stressful than first planned. He probably thinks every time he travels there's an injection at the end of it!
No practice tonight as the weather's been torrential since this morning. I misjudged the weather and put him out last night rugless :( Luckily the YM brought him in this morning as he was looking rather drookit.
Sufficient to say I'm doing less-than-nought in terms of exercise! Just haven't the time to go to the gym, haven't been in ages. I'm hoping I'll at least have a sound horse soon to ride. And of course there's all the poo picking I'll get to do at the new place :)
Tomorrow is Horsepital Day. Fingers crossed for smooth loading and travelling. I'm not optimistic about the vet being able to do the joint block without Quadi trying to climb the walls, but you never know...I shall remain positive, right up until the point where it looks like someone's about to get hurt!
Quadi's pretty bored! We've been doing stretches as per Celia Cohen's 'Stretchy Horses' DVD, but the stretches that require treats tend to wind him up a little & bring out his worst manners! I think he'd be better being able to do something more, he likes spending time with people. He's hardly a workaholic but certainly seems jealous of the attention Fin gets for having more to do!
We've also been doing trailer-practice. We started this in preparation to move but obviously now it's to take him to the vet, so moving yard might be more stressful than first planned. He probably thinks every time he travels there's an injection at the end of it!
No practice tonight as the weather's been torrential since this morning. I misjudged the weather and put him out last night rugless :( Luckily the YM brought him in this morning as he was looking rather drookit.
Sufficient to say I'm doing less-than-nought in terms of exercise! Just haven't the time to go to the gym, haven't been in ages. I'm hoping I'll at least have a sound horse soon to ride. And of course there's all the poo picking I'll get to do at the new place :)
Tomorrow is Horsepital Day. Fingers crossed for smooth loading and travelling. I'm not optimistic about the vet being able to do the joint block without Quadi trying to climb the walls, but you never know...I shall remain positive, right up until the point where it looks like someone's about to get hurt!
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