PPE results disputed - experiences?

[Xanthoria]

4 yr old horse is in Ireland. Rads were done and US vet sees a problem, sends to radiologist who agrees. Irish vet and sellers 2nd opinion vet agree - no issues here and horse is sound.

Horse looks sound to me, but my vet says this issue could go away or get worse. I am on month 5 of horse search and this is the 4th horse who failed the PPE (well, one had an issue on rads so no PPE scheduled)

Now I’m getting a 5th opinion (!) from another respected US vet clinic at my expense.

Ever been through this? I’m ripping my hair out at this stage.

FWIW the issue is described as an issue with the stifles: “Bilateral, mild medial femoral condyle subchondral developmental lesions. In the right there is mild medial femorotibial osteoarthritis.”

[joiedevie99]

Many, many things are accepted on x-rays in Europe that vets here are not ok with. It doesn’t mean your vet is doing something wrong - it happens fairly often.

I feel for you, I’ve also had lots of failed vettings over the years. One horse I bought was the 9th I’d vetted on that search

[Xanthoria]

I know… each vet truly believes they are right but I just don’t know which to put my money on!

[EmilyM]

I think the vet that has to help you keep the horse sound when you own it should weigh in the most assuming his/her qualifications are as good as the rest.

[mbv]

To me the interpretations aren’t hugely different.
US vets - minor developmental lesions that may or may not ever be clinically significant
Euro vets - within normal limits for the variation of stifle development that they observe, nothing likely to be clinically significant
Is the horse sound? Did your US vet get to watch video of the lameness exam and hindlimb flexion? To me personally that would matter a lot. No vet can predict the future. If you want a horse for resale in the US with perfect rads this horse is not it. If you want a personal horse for your use, make sure everyone agrees it’s sound first. Then consider your personal tolerance for a potential stifle issue that may or may not ever manifest clinically. All horses have problems - which type of potential problem is most acceptable to you?

[Xanthoria]

Not a horse for resale, but I would breed her or sell as broodmare if she retired early so if this is congenital that matters a bit.

Horse appears sound. Videos of vetting not available though lunge on circle/hard ground was given. And a host of other vids of course.

My personal vet deferred to the US radiologist: he wasn’t sure what he saw was enough to be a showstopper but called a halt after talking to her.

Both of them are renowned for never passing horses…

[Ghazzu]

I’d be concerned that a horse this young has lesions consistent w/ “mild medial femorotibial osteoarthritis”.

[No1]

The subchondral bone changes in stifles of a 4 year old would be a big nope for import for me. If the horse was older, it would be ‘Oh, been there since he was a baby. Not likely to change now.’

The fact is, this horse is still developing. He could very well have a cyst or two by the time he’s 6 or 7. Adding the coat of import on top of the risk, I would personally skip it.

[joiedevie99]

I agree with @No1. At this age, I’d pass.

I bought a 13 year old with stifle cysts (at a discount) that had a consistent show record every year since age 4 to show they were not an issue, and they still aren’t. But without that history, it would be too much of a gamble for me.

[TheresanAppfurthat]

Prepurchase exam (by my own vet, which I paid for and shouldn’t have had to) had results indicating that the jumper and eventing prospect I wanted to buy was unsuitable for that career. In brief, heart murmur. At age 5?! The selling owner pitched a truly epic fit and, of course, threatened to sue (a) the vet and (b) me - me, for failure to go through the sale, which sale of course was contingent upon a reasonably sound, reasonably fit for intended purpose ppe. Hissy fit ended when the selling owner learned that my DH was an attorney. (grin)

[Xanthoria]

Well I got a 5th opinion from a disinterested vet on the opposite coast and he said “nah…” so I declined the sale and now the seller has disappeared.

Dang it people. I’ve just spent thousands vetting your horse and I am STILL horseless. I am so tired of this.

[Ghazzu]

I’m sorry to hear that, but perhaps you dodged a bullet.

[Xanthoria]

@Ghazzu

I’m sorry to hear that, but perhaps you dodged a bullet.

You’re quite right. Just very frustrated right now…

[OnDeck]

Vets are supposed to agree??? Who knew.

[Jealoushe]

Sorry to hear but I would not have gone ahead with stifle issues, especially those ones on a young Irish horse. Probably the best in the long run!