Opinions on Egg Bars and Osphos?

[Pico_Banana]

I gave my senior gelding 3 Osphos injections, about 6-9 months apart. The first one was great, the second was was great but caused a mild colic, and then the third caused a ridiculously stiff neck resulting in more vet visits to make sure he was okay and about two weeks before the neck pain resolved. So as well as it worked, I’m not going to do it again.

His trouble areas are hocks, pasterns, and fetlocks. We’ve done 2 steroid injections in each of these (last ones were about 9 months ago) and he continues to do well. Our plan is to try prostride the next time he needs something. I also just put some composite heartbar shoes on his hind feet and that seems to have made him more comfortable, as well.

[MsM]

My horse had a slight lameness and showed navicular changes when he was 8! I opted to do an MRI. It showed some disruption to the DDFT at the coffin bone attachment and soft tissue inflammation. The vet said that many “navicular” horses are impacted more by soft tissue issues and he doesnt worry about mild changes in the bone.
We put 2 degree wedge pads on (he had been barefoot and his trimming had looked appropriate). After rest and rehab we have had no further issues in the 6 years since. I still keep him with short toes and the 2 degree pad. Vet says we could try without, but if it aint broke…

[tipzythegreat]

Thank you for the info. His feet aren’t that different from each other- but one is a bit more wide and one is a bit more flat but it’s not drastic. I kept a pair of his shoes recently and he wears them unevenly individually and from each other. Farriers have said he has 4 fairly wonky feet though… all different. Ill research more about cadual heel pain support as well.

He’s also weird about low ceilings and has whacked his head hard countless times. It makes me wonder if he really hurt himself once and it affected his neck!

If only they could just tell us!

[tipzythegreat]

Im glad to hear egg bars aren’t forever also LOL. I was concerned about that.

Today he came out fairly sound but then was kind of up and down off and on lame. I imagine the inflammation and foot changes will take some time to settle

[tipzythegreat]

How long before you saw results with the osphos? My vet did warn me about the colic but said it was very rare. I would not do it again if I were you either!

Does he also wear wedges?

[tipzythegreat]

How long did you rest and rehab?

I still keep my horse in suspensory hinds for the same reason. It’s not worth the risk!

[atr]

Ah, yes, the colic risk. We always handwalk after administering Osphos.

My vet will also give a shot of xylazine to a horse he considers at-risk. That’s how we discovered my horse couldn’t have xylazine… he had a mild seizure which scared the crap out of me (and him.) Subsequent Osphos treatments have been done without!

[MsM]

Rested with small paddock turnout and trazadone for about 4 months. Then started the slow rehab progression of walking, walk-trot, etc.

[RedHorses]

I know that wasn’t directed at me, but…

The first time my horse had Osphos (at his home barn) he got a bit colicky. I walked him and put the Bemer on and he was fine. It takes time to get to full effect and I was seeing improvements in my horse’s comfort in the fourth week.

This spring he got Osphos at the clinic, with light sedation for teeth xrays. Once the sedative wore off he was in a trailer for about 45 minutes, He didn’t show any signs of colic that time. I think I had the Bemer on him before we went to the clinic. Again I was seeing greater comfort in the fourth week. There were other factors helping his comfort, but he kept getting better and better.

[Pico_Banana]

There is an analgesic effect for the first week or two, so you should see some kind of improvement right away. Then that wears off and it takes about 2 months before it really kicks in. I felt the second shot gave us more bang for the buck, which is consistent with my trainer’s experience - like it has a cumulative effect.

[IPEsq]

The description of the lameness has me more worried about the DDFT.

[tipzythegreat]

I appreciate all the insight, so I’m glad you chimed in! My vet described the colic risk as a “muscle colic” so I think you’re spot on with the Bemer!

[tipzythegreat]

I didn’t realize it was cumulative @Pico_Banana – that’s very interesting. I know it also can cause issues in the bone long term… I guess it makes sense it hangs around.

It’s entirely possible @IPEsq that the DDFT is irritated. On his RF with the NPA there’s no signs of damage to the tendon, at least not BONY signs. His LF does have something in the bone that could irritate the DDFT. I can’t remember which bone it is but it’s like an small indent of sorts. My vet said it could be active and part of the problem or it could just be an old injury.

After 4 days in egg bars with pads and a wedge + osphos… he rode pretty damn sound yesterday. I’ll ride him again tomorrow and my trainer will be able to watch him go. I’m cautiously optimistic but certainly not holding my breath. When I rode Friday he overall felt NQR but was markedly more off and on tracking right. I opted to push him a little and canter and he gave me perfect departs and more power than I’ve felt from him in years (granted, he did also get his stifles done!) He’s didn’t trip at all for either ride post treatment. He was tripping so badly a few weeks ago I stopped cantering because he has a trip and fall history.

Anyway – thanks everyone for your advice and experience! I really appreciate it!!!

[RedHorses]

Huh. I didn’t see any immediate improvement after Osphos either time. Or any mention of it on the Osphos site. Did your vet tell you about the analgesic effect?

[IPEsq]

I used Tildren for something in the foot, which is a related drug, and my vet said it has a pretty immediate effect on bone pain receptors. The impact on bone resorption / bone growth and metabolism problems takes time.

[RedHorses]

Maybe it’s only something noticeable if there’s a specific, very painful joint or two. My senior’s knee has a reduced range of motion, but it’s not painful so that could be why he didn’t show that initial effect.

[IPEsq]

Joint pain =/= bone pain necessarily

[tipzythegreat]

My vet said Tildren was no longer available, interestingly