Post Hoof Surgery Recovery

[Redemption3]

The Ol Man is 20, QH, and is coming back from a lot of pain and stress and weight loss this past year. He looks, and seems to feel, pretty good right now and has a very good prognosis for the removal of a keratoma in his LF. We are waiting for vet and farrier to get together to schedule as early as next week.

I want to make his recovery as speedy and stress free as possible so I’m preparing his area and would like to stock up on any essentials. It is hurricane season in Florida btw… and August. The vets I spoke with didn’t seem concerned about heat for this surgery. He’ll have a fan in his stall at any rate.

My farrier lives very close and has offered to come out for whatever emergency arises hoof-wise. He has done 2 of these previously, Cliff will be his third. I don’t want to rely on emergency calls though. I’d like to be prepared.

He is a very good boy but absolutely hates being locked in his stall, I never lock him in there. He will be on stall rest, instructions say 30 - 60 days, but since this is in general, I don’t know if it will be closer to 30 or closer to 60. I’m cleaning up and fencing in a small area in his paddock, where I can safely walk him around to give him a break.
Should I ask for a sedative for the first few days?

Since he is on TC Senior I’m not sure if supplementation would be counter-productive. The post surgery instructions mention a few things beside bute, antibiotics and bandaging. They mention Full Bucket (which I have to get) and Gastroguard (which I have to get) Iodoform (which I have to get)

Should I add Red Cell? I’ve heard (and saw a video) it is bloody. Is there a best Biotin supplement for post surgery?

Gauze is on my list. I probably already have every kind of topical antibacterial, antiviral on the market.

Obviously these things will be discussed with vet who does surgery (who is not his regular vet) but asking here to begin stocking up pre surgery and to hear what might be handy and useful and not mentioned. I don’t want to have to go anywhere for the first week.

[joiedevie99]

Honestly, I’d probably just do Gastrogard and cut back the grain. Full Bucket is a brand -although I assume they are talking about the probiotic they make? I’ve never heard of lodoform either. Maybe Osteo-Form? It’s a calcium and phosphorus supplement. Neither of those really seem necessary. Obviously ask your vet, but I wouldn’t think Red Cell is necessary. It’s rare that horses need iron supplementation.

I would definitely add biotin (assuming the vet is ok with it). Anything with a full 20 mg serving is good.

Yes - you should have at least a week of sedation on hand. You don’t want to need it, and have nothing. That will give you enough time to get to the vet for a 30 day supply if it turns out to be necessary.

If he hates the stall, he may be able to go out in a stall-size pen pretty early, depending on how he is bandaged/shod (hospital plate?), and what sort of footing you have in your stall-size turnout (and whether you have portable mats to cover any less than desirable footing).

[walkinthewalk]

Glad to hear he home and recovering:)

I would imagine the facility drugged him up pretty good and he should stay fairly quiet for a few days, at least:). While it wouldn’t hurt to have some sort of sedative in the cupboard, I wouldn’t give him anything unless he is starting to act stupid to the point of injuring his surgery:)

1. I would not give him Red cell unless the vet suggested it and the suggestion should have been predicated upon blood work that shows your horse on the anemic side. Because he lost blood during surgery is not a good measure. JMO:)

2. As far as Biotin, I use HorseTech’s “BioFlax20” on my foundered horse. Even my farrier has to admit she has seen a difference to the good in his hoof health:)

3. I might request Previcox or Equiox in place of Bute. Either of those do less damage to the stomach, over the long term, than Bute:)

4. As usual, this time of day, I can’t get past the Google screen to look at anything, and I’m not familiar with Full Bucket or Idoform:)

5. I am curious what your hoof care follow-up is:).

[Redemption3]

@joiedevie99

Honestly, I’d probably just do Gastrogard and cut back the grain. Full Bucket is a brand -although I assume they are talking about the probiotic they make? I’ve never heard of lodoform either. Maybe Osteo-Form? It’s a calcium and phosphorus supplement. Neither of those really seem necessary. Obviously ask your vet, but I wouldn’t think Red Cell is necessary. It’s rare that horses need iron supplementation.

I would definitely add biotin (assuming the vet is ok with it). Anything with a full 20 mg serving is good.

Yes - you should have at least a week of sedation on hand. You don’t want to need it, and have nothing. That will give you enough time to get to the vet for a 30 day supply if it turns out to be necessary.

If he hates the stall, he may be able to go out in a stall-size pen pretty early, depending on how he is bandaged/shod (hospital plate?), and what sort of footing you have in your stall-size turnout (and whether you have portable mats to cover any less than desirable footing).

Thank you. Full Bucket is a brand of probiotic that can be used post surgery and along with antibiotics. Iodoform is a wound packing. He’ll have a hospital plate.

[MsM]

I would definitely ask about the earliest he can go into a “hospital paddock” My horse didn’t have surgery, but needed confinement. The vet wanted stall rest, but all the horses in the barn are on turnout all day (or all night). My BO made a small, barely more than stall sized turnout for him with highly charged electric fence. (We called it the Velociraptor Paddock!) and put a quiet horse next to him. That helped greatly as often just the idea of turnout helps. (Tho my young fool needed some chemical help as well)

[Redemption3]

@walkinthewalk

Glad to hear he home and recovering:)

I would imagine the facility drugged him up pretty good and he should stay fairly quiet for a few days, at least:). While it wouldn’t hurt to have some sort of sedative in the cupboard, I wouldn’t give him anything unless he is starting to act stupid to the point of injuring his surgery:)

1. I would not give him Red cell unless the vet suggested it and the suggestion should have been predicated upon blood work that shows your horse on the anemic side. Because he lost blood during surgery is not a good measure. JMO:)

2. As far as Biotin, I use HorseTech’s “BioFlax20” on my foundered horse. Even my farrier has to admit she has seen a difference to the good in his hoof health:)

3. I might request Previcox or Equiox in place of Bute. Either of those do less damage to the stomach, over the long term, than Bute:)

4. As usual, this time of day, I can’t get past the Google screen to look at anything, and I’m not familiar with Full Bucket or Idoform:)

5. I am curious what your hoof care follow-up is:).

Hi There :), He hasn’t had surgery yet. I’m shopping for his essentials. The surgery is being scheduled between vet and farrier since they both work a full schedule it and I’m very flexible; we are waiting for the date. I think they are trying to coordinate for next week. So I want to get things ordered and ready here.
He’s on Equioxx now but the vets I consulted said Bute. I’m not sure why. Its 1 gram 2X daily for 3 days and the 1 gram once a day for 5 days. Is that asking for stomach problems?

I will post his detailed follow-up care. The one I was given to give me an idea of what was involved is for another patient.

[Redemption3]

@MsM

I would definitely ask about the earliest he can go into a “hospital paddock” My horse didn’t have surgery, but needed confinement. The vet wanted stall rest, but all the horses in the barn are on turnout all day (or all night). My BO made a small, barely more than stall sized turnout for him with highly charged electric fence. (We called it the Velociraptor Paddock!) and put a quiet horse next to him. That helped greatly as often just the idea of turnout helps. (Tho my young fool needed some chemical help as well)

Yes, that’s a good idea. I have electric tape but I was thinking of purchasing 4 horse panels. They are 5 ft x 16 ft each and can be moved to fresh grass as needed, probably daily.

[MsM]

That will work as long as your horse is respectful of fences. My boy would hit and climb non-electric fence. He had a pipe gate that had to be electrified as he was pawing and standing on the bottom, bending it. :rolleyes:

[walkinthewalk]

@Redemption3

Hi There :), He hasn’t had surgery yet. I’m shopping for his essentials. The surgery is being scheduled between vet and farrier since they both work a full schedule it and I’m very flexible; we are waiting for the date. I think they are trying to coordinate for next week. So I want to get things ordered and ready here.
He’s on Equioxx now but the vets I consulted said Bute. I’m not sure why. Its 1 gram 2X daily for 3 days and the 1 gram once a day for 5 days. Is that asking for stomach problems?

I will post his detailed follow-up care. The one I was given to give me an idea of what was involved is for another patient.

Oops, I mis-read on the surgery:(

8 days total is a short period of time for Bute. I would be concerned if the Bute time frame went beyond 3-4 weeks, especially given his previous lack of care which likely provided enough stress to give him ulcers.

[Redemption3]

@MsM

That will work as long as your horse is respectful of fences. My boy would hit and climb non-electric fence. He had a pipe gate that had to be electrified as he was pawing and standing on the bottom, bending it. :rolleyes:

The Ol Man doesn’t believe in fences, LOL but the horse panel is rigid with 2 x 4 squares so he can’t hurt himself.

[rubygirl1968]

From what little experience I’ve had with bute anything past 7 days is stomach trouble. Granted, all the horses at the barn I work at that needed long term bute were quite old. Mid to late 20s up to 30s.

We did the panels too and that seemed to keep them happier than the stalls.

[outerbanks77]

I would ask for a bottle of ACE, which can be given orally. That way if he really becomes a handful and you need to clean or apply dressings, you have it handy. I’d also ask them to call in an Rx for Reserpine just in case he starts really climbing the walls after being locked up for a bit, so you can call it in and have it available within a day or two.

On the supps, etc., you might look at the SmartPak SmartStride Senior pellets. I had my mare on their Rehab pellets for a few months because she fractured her coffin bone, and then subsequently pulled her DDFT. Was going to put her back on the Rehab Pellets, but looking at ingredients, the SmartStride has similar ingredients, plus extra anti-inflammatories to promote healing. I also give her extra turmeric to help control inflammation.

My mare has been on stall rest/hand walking since last October, and got super nutso in the winter. With the summer heat, she is much easier to manage, and I’m able to continue hand walking with 2cc of ACE. During the winter she was explosive and it was completely miserable for both of us, and starting to get dangerous. Don’t hesitate to wear a helmet and use a chain or put him in a bit for hand walking if he starts getting difficult!

ETA: I have my mare on SmartCalm Ultra as well, but can’t really say if it makes a difference or not. Being locked up for 10 months, I figure she needs all the help she can get!

Good luck! I just finished reading your whole hoof saga last night, and you’re really going the extra mile for this good old guy. It’s nice to see.

[Redemption3]

@outerbanks77

I would ask for a bottle of ACE, which can be given orally. That way if he really becomes a handful and you need to clean or apply dressings, you have it handy. I’d also ask them to call in an Rx for Reserpine just in case he starts really climbing the walls after being locked up for a bit, so you can call it in and have it available within a day or two.

On the supps, etc., you might look at the SmartPak SmartStride Senior pellets. I had my mare on their Rehab pellets for a few months because she fractured her coffin bone, and then subsequently pulled her DDFT. Was going to put her back on the Rehab Pellets, but looking at ingredients, the SmartStride has similar ingredients, plus extra anti-inflammatories to promote healing. I also give her extra turmeric to help control inflammation.

My mare has been on stall rest/hand walking since last October, and got super nutso in the winter. With the summer heat, she is much easier to manage, and I’m able to continue hand walking with 2cc of ACE. During the winter she was explosive and it was completely miserable for both of us, and starting to get dangerous. Don’t hesitate to wear a helmet and use a chain or put him in a bit for hand walking if he starts getting difficult!

ETA: I have my mare on SmartCalm Ultra as well, but can’t really say if it makes a difference or not. Being locked up for 10 months, I figure she needs all the help she can get!

Good luck! I just finished reading your whole hoof saga last night, and you’re really going the extra mile for this good old guy. It’s nice to see.

Wow, I hope your mare recovers speedily and completely from here on out. That’s such a long time to be restricted, I would go very nutso too. Hope your are on the homestretch now. Our hoof sage has lasted since I first got him May 2017 without a diagnosis, I’ve gone through a lot to get him pain free and sound. Very sad story. It has been an eye-opener about the limitations of veterinarians and human nature… I have another story about what I’ve gone through with my goats… misdiagnoses… the past three years since moving here have been tough.

Thank you for the advice. I’m putting ace on my list and going to ask about reserpine. He is such a good boy for the vet, an amazingly calm horse regardless of what they do to him, that it’s hard to convince a vet he can be a butthead confined to a stall

I used SmartCalm Ultra in preparation for our July 4th displays of patriotism (which last much longer here, than just the day) and Quietex on the actual July 4th night and didn’t see much benefit but I guess he could have run into a fence without them. He didn’t used to be spooky and fortunately he has calmed down considerably since, I think, with the help of Nexium. He is also on SmartGI Ultra (which I’ve paused while he is on nexium). I have a stock of Devil’s Claw from SmartPak, can’t remember the name of the supplement that has Boswelia and other anti inflammatory herbs, thanks for the reminder. I use Boswelia myself and know it works very well.

Haven’t gotten a call back for the actual surgery date but I have Full Bucket on order and it should arrive Wednesday. I’m going to forego the Gastroguard because it is omeprazole and he is already on that. Have the gauze and the Iodoform in my cart at Amazon…now to the physical work of preparing his area. On my way out to Tractor Supply.

Immensely grateful to everyone and wishing all the goodness of healing and inner peace to everyone who on the very long journeys toward diagnosis and recovery.

[littlebaypony]

My horse had keratoma surgery and because of the discomfort he was pretty quiet in his stall at first. He’s an easy going guy so I never had to sedate him. I did always keep another horse in the barn with him so he was never alone. I rotated who stayed in so they didn’t get stressed. I kept a slow feed hay net in his stall all the time.
The recovery time is what surprised me. I expected the patch on the surgery site to pop out in 3-6 months but it took just over a year.
I had the surgery done by Dr. Liberty Getman at TN Equine Hospital because she has done around 10 keratoma surgeries and has published papers on them. Her farrier put on the glue on shoe while Shadow was still under anesthesia and he replaced it with a regular shoe 4 weeks later. It was all fascinating to me.
I was allowed to hand graze and hand walk Shadow from the beginning and after a couple of weeks he could go out in a small paddock as long as the ground and grass were dry.
Recovery, growing out the hoof, took longer than I expected but otherwise it was uneventful.

[stryder]

When my mare had hoof surgery and subsequent hospital plate, we used Chux to give us a clean area to treat it and change the dressing. They’re about 2’ x 3’, disposable bed pads.

Mare is also ulcer-prone, and was on bute for a few days without a problem.

Good luck!

[Redemption3]

@littlebaypony

My horse had keratoma surgery and because of the discomfort he was pretty quiet in his stall at first. He’s an easy going guy so I never had to sedate him. I did always keep another horse in the barn with him so he was never alone. I rotated who stayed in so they didn’t get stressed. I kept a slow feed hay net in his stall all the time.
The recovery time is what surprised me. I expected the patch on the surgery site to pop out in 3-6 months but it took just over a year.
I had the surgery done by Dr. Liberty Getman at TN Equine Hospital because she has done around 10 keratoma surgeries and has published papers on them. Her farrier put on the glue on shoe while Shadow was still under anesthesia and he replaced it with a regular shoe 4 weeks later. It was all fascinating to me.
I was allowed to hand graze and hand walk Shadow from the beginning and after a couple of weeks he could go out in a small paddock as long as the ground and grass were dry.
Recovery, growing out the hoof, took longer than I expected but otherwise it was uneventful.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve gotten a couple of time estimates from the surgeons I’ve spoken with and from my farrier and vet. They’ve all mentioned it can take as much as a year but one of the surgeons who worked on his own senior mare said she was being ridden by children a few months later. Naturally I’m hoping for a shorter time but we’re in it for the long haul. Don’t have another horse to keep him company. It’s just me and him and the goats. Hoping we can keep him entertained at least for the first few weeks.

[Redemption3]

@stryder

When my mare had hoof surgery and subsequent hospital plate, we used Chux to give us a clean area to treat it and change the dressing. They’re about 2’ x 3’, disposable bed pads.

Mare is also ulcer-prone, and was on bute for a few days without a problem.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice on Chux and Bute eases my mind and I’ll look up the pads.

[Redemption3]

We are scheduled for surgery on Monday August 19th at 10 am. Please keep the Ol Man in your happy thoughts for well-being. It has been a long road for him.

[jonem004]

I don’t use Ace on anything with a penis because of the paralysis risk. Reserpine is a long term feed through that is useful for stall resting horses that don’t care for it. It carries its own risks (ulcers and colic) but that’s what I’d prefer for this situation.

[IndysMom]

My navicular horse was on bute for years. Vet said hat if it didn’t bother him within the first few days it was unlikely to bother him at all. It never did.