Proximal Suspensory Surgery Advice - Updates at end

[merrygoround]

Samantha: I would keep taking that temp, just on case he picked up something URI while pre/ post op. Temp elevations tend to be cyclical, up in the evening, down in the morning.

Normally we cut grain back to the bare minimum except for any we need to get supplements and medications into them. It is good that hay and grass are still on his want list. We can hope that any stocking up is due to a sudden change in activity level, that is, a fit horse suddenly dumped into a stall full time, particularly if used to a lot of turn out.

Your veterinarian’s comments re: handwalking and misbehavior are comforting. But us “Nervous Nellies” will still chew our fingernails when they act up.

Quietanne: congratulations on getting to canter. Those controlled downward transitions take a lot of strength and are a lot of work in the scheme of things. Hope that that too, works itself out.

dbamford- I am jealous. Absolutely pea-green jealous. Your roads sound wonderful… Our undersaddle time must wait to begin til our designated rider returns from a jaunt at the end of the month. So we are probably 30 days behind our projected schedule, but as occasional, “I’m being bad” trots have appeared to be even and sound, I am cautiously hopeful.

[quietann]

Tonight’s canter to trot transition was great! Alas, maresy thinks that cantering is REALLY FUN and afterwards her head is in the clouds for a bit, plus every time she gets to a corner at the trot she gets excited in hopes that she will be allowed to canter again. Goofy mare.

[dbamford]

vicarious-while the sand roads are great for rehab. sometimes I would kill for hills. Grew up in PA with rolling hills. I wonder if not enough hills might have compromised him… as we event in Aiken for the most part, and since we can’t condition on them its obviously harder for him. We used to do a few times a month on hills schooling, but I still don’t think that was enough.

So…happy to have the roads now…but looking down the road (so to speak!) for long term conditioning. I am just happy that long term conditioning may be an option now that we’ve done the surgery.

[Samantha37]

Hey guys… Hope everyone is doing well! I was wondering what if any support boots you are using when you start riding. I’m at Rolex and am thinking about getting some (even though I’ve got a ways to go!) and have looked at Thinline, Back on Track, and SMBs… Thoughts?

[dbamford]

Oh, I was at Rolex too, wish I had read this before, we could have met!

I actually got these for Venture’s first few months of turnout, http://www.westernlegacysales.com/iconoclast_equine_rehabilitation.php. I am not a huge fan of the fit of SMBs, but really liked these and that they had dual support wraps. But, neoprene overall holds in heat, so I only used them in the winter, for the first few months during turnout. Will not use them in the summer in the south. I also used the Back on Track wraps every night once he started small pen turnout, and really liked them.

He is now wrap free for turnout, and when he’s in. For his workouts he wears the Equifit T-Sport wraps http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=4953&cm_vc=Search. I LOVE them.

[asterix]

Guys, be careful with the boots. Don’t go hog wild. A good set of boots can protect against EXTERNAL dings (interfering, sticks, etc.). NO boots will SUPPORT the internal structures. None.

All they will do in that regard is hold in heat, which is the absolute last thing we want with our rehabbing ponies.

So boot if you must because of external issues, but please pick the least hot (I’d stay far away from anything neoprene and go with some of the newer ventilated ones) boots you can find, and only use them when absolutely needed.

[quietann]

I actually don’t use boots with Feronia when riding her. When she was jumping, she wore your basic Woof Boots just in case, and I would use them for trail riding in rougher terrain. But she’s a very clean mover – very catty, knows where her feet are – and I am decidedly in the camp of “boots protect but don’t really support.” My vet’s fine with this decision.

She does wear boots in her turnout, because there’s a hazard my BO refuses to deal with (long story) and she cut up her bad leg the second time she was turned out in her tiny paddock, post-surgery. Also she has a big splint on her RF and has whacked it hard in the past while playing in turnout. She’s BIG on the play, and in Morgan show terms, “airs up” over nothing and puts on quite a show. Eventually the rear boots will be optional, but the front ones she keeps.

BTW – she just had her hocks and left SI injected last Saturday, and I got back on her on Thursday and it’s really helped. I knew her hocks were due (she had them done for the first time in January 2010) but the SI was a little bit of a surprise. The vet was very encouraging. Thursday and Friday we were back to WTC and she was definitely going better. She’s had a few days off since then because I’ve been out of town, so I’ll see how she is tomorrow.

Oh… tomorrow is her 13th birthday, too

[dbamford]

Asterix. Good point! I agree, and only booted when he was in small pen during initial turnout in dead of winter *(well southern dead of winter!). I don’t use the neoprene in summer, and only use the equifit wraps right now during rides–they do stay fairly cool-but even their ‘claim’ that the leg will be cool after a ride is NOT true. Vets at NC said the same about nothing really providing support. The BOT wraps helped as well, but again was using them early on, and overnight in the winter. I am not going to be using them in the summer, as the create heat, to increase circulation.

Anybody have any favorite ice boots? I would like to add ice wraps to our after ride regimen once we start canter work, which is about three weeks away! I am cold hosing right now, but feel bad running all the barn water out for 20 minutes a day.

[dbamford]

Quietanne, good news on the injection front, glad your mare continues to improve!! I actually lunged Venture for the first time in 8 months to see his trot on a circle (free lunge for about 2 minutes in round pen). He actually looks almost 100%, just a little hock stiffness, which he does have minor arthritis.

Brings me to the subject of injections. My vet seems very reticent to do his hocks. The NC surgeon recommended them once Venture was trotting solidly, he actually predicted that he would show a little stiffness, and to inject at this point in rehab. Local vet has talked to NC and they told her the same thing. I am not one of those people that willy nilly injects, I am trying to do the right thing by my guy to ensure he is comfortable and not compensating somewhere else, yet local vet is making me feel HORRIBLE. She keeps saying Adequan, Adequan, Adequan–but I did that last year (granted pre-surgery) and it did nothing- $300 later we still had to inject and then she only did HA no Steroid. Which NC could not believe–they said, which makes sense to me, that if you go into the joint, do it right with more med so you limit how many times you have to go in. I do take injecting joints seriously, I understand the risks, but I also don’t want to throw my money away. Vet at NC said that Adequan was not something he would recommend in my case. Gosh I wish I lived up there! I am dreading calling the vet to schedule the injections–makes me feel like a criminal. Yet growing up in the North, there were Hunter folks that injected twice a year just like getting shots.

Sorry for the tirade, just really frustrated!!

[system]

Hi all,

I’m getting ready to join the “bilateral hind suspensory fasciotomy” rehab club next week. I’m taking my guy to Leesburg for surgery with Dr. White on Monday. The surgery is Tuesday. I am really dreading all of this, as he’s been in a stall with only hand walking since Feb 8th. Believe it or not, we are still able to hand walk with no drugs, but it’s starting to become a little bit of a challenge. My guess is we will need them after surgery.

My vet did 3 rounds of Shockwave and things have improved slightly, but not enough. She recommended the surgery and my brother-in-law, who is a vet, concurred, as did Dr. White. I’m not sure he’s going to do the PRP injections right away. I think he wants to re-evaluate 60 days post op.

I am definitely bookmarking this thread as I know I will refer to it along the way.

Amy

[asterix]

Good luck, Amy! Dr White did my horse’s surgery, too. He’s the best!
You are right that the hardest part will be adding stall rest on top of his stint; mine started out right away with the surgery and had only been in a week when we did it, so it was easier.

Aftercare is a breeze, though – you just have to keep the horse wrapped initially. Mine was done at the height of summer and he kind of had a meltdown the day I brought him home – I think the heat/humidity just made him bonkers with the elastikon etc…so he ripped his wraps to shreds, and I had to rewrap with standings a little over 24 hours after surgery (they had wanted the original wraps to stay on for several days…oh well)…

anyway, the thing is I could barely even see the incisions even a day out. No swelling or oozing or anything. Looked great.

I think you are making the right decision and once you make it through the next month and can start getting him out, you will be so relieved!!!

[dbamford]

Welcome Amy, let us know how things progress for you, will be thinking of you and your horse!

[quietann]

Amy, best of luck! Drugs are your horse’s friend at times during this process; it’s no shame to need them.

If you read back through this whole thread you already know that Feronia’s slow progress is quite atypical for this type of injury/surgery, but her case was also atypical (only one leg, chronic inflammation of probably years’ duration, no lesion etc.) If she does not come back 100% sound it will probably be because she was not 100% sound to start with.

Overall it looks like most of our horses are coming back well. Be patient; we’ll be here for you.

[merrygoround]

First off!

o2gallop-Welcome aboard. There is nothing like listening to the wails and tales of the rest of us who deal with the post-op cares and scares of suspensory surgery. If you go back through the thread as Quietanne has suggested, you can read how we have dealt with attempting to have our charges keep their feet on the ground, and the medications we have used. The post op wrapping can be a headache. Mine was. There was endless stamping until they came off.

Samantha, glad things are going better. I too am in the bootless club. Over the years I fell for countless claims of wondrous results, and finally came to the conclusion that less is more. Polos for interference, sturdier boots for jumping, and wrapping only when absolutely necessary. Sometimes I feel like a neglectful Mom.

dbamford-Some vets are just not comfortable going into joints. Is there a practice reasonably close to you that does a lot of this? I know that for my U/S and X-rays I found a veterinarian who does a lot of them, and was willing to come by at his convenience and do them. He then emails them to the surgeon. I know it could put your vet’s nose “out of joint”, but…
I still would at present love to have your sand roads. There was a major melt down 10 days ago, and while I have seen some even short trots since then, most efforts involve canter with downward transitions in the mud. Try evaluating a gait in that. :sigh: Still awaiting the return of designated rider.

Quietanne. Carry on!!! Sounds like things are going well.

[Samantha37]

Hi Amy- I know you (sort of lol) I’m so sorry your horse is having to have the surgery after all. I think this will end up being the best prognosis for him to come back, though!

My horse is doing well! I ended up getting a little crazy at Rolex and bought those EquiFit T-Sport wraps for when I start riding him again. I didn’t even think about booting for turn out… am definitely not planning on that.

I now have bought hock boots (specifically the Cashel Boomer Hock Sock) because he has a hock sore that we can.not get rid of. He has mats in his stall and like 8" of bedding including the super fluffy bagged shavings on top, so there isn’t a whole lot else we can do. Hopefully the boot will help, though.

He is being extremely well behaved (knock on wood) and only needs a chain because I can’t get his head up from grazing

Glad to hear things are going well for everyone else!

[system]

Thanks for all the good wishes. I’m ready for the surgery to be over with so we can get on with the rehab. It sounds like all of you are either recovered or well on your way to recovery. I’m going to be able to go up Monday when my trainer takes him to Leesburg, but won’t be able to go get him after the surgery. My daughter is moving to CT and we have to go find her a place to live. I will be anxious, but I totally trust my trainer and she will take excellent care of Parker.

Samantha, I will call or e-mail you and let you know how things went when I hear from Dr. White.

So glad you all have shared your experiences here. I know it will help me down the road. We are still walking without drugs…the grass is keeping him entertained for now:winkgrin:

Thanks everyone for your input!

Amy

[system]

Hi all! Parker’s surgery went well. Apparently he hated the wraps that they had him in and he kicked in the trailer on the way home and in the stall once he was at home. My trainer said that they had him wrapped from the coronet band to just below his hocks, so she re-wrapped him but used no-bow wraps instead of the sheet cotton and he was fine. Double checked with them when they called to check on him and they said that is ok. I would guess that would be better than him kicking the stall wall! (I’m out of town and didn’t get to go pick him up)

Dr. White did not do PRP at this time. He wants to re-ultrasound in 60 days after 30 days of stall rest and then 30 days of hand walking. If everything is going well, we will continue with his rehab. If he is not healing well, he will consider doing the PRP at that time. He said his lesions weren’t that bad. He seemed pleased with the way things went. So, I’m crossing my fingers for an “uneventful” rehab/recovery.

Hope you and all of your horses are doing well!

[quietann]

o2gallop, is your horse still doing well? My mare had some, um, issues with her bandages, too.

BTW… she is doing great, everyone, but I am not! I got bit on my right (dominant) hand by my cat last Sunday and ended up spending Tu-Fr in the hospital getting IV antibiotics My hand is very stiff and I won’t be able to ride for a while. Sigh. Cat bites can be very serious as their sharp little teeth act like hypodermic needles and inject whatever’s in their mouth right under your skin.

(In sillier news, the two young women who are riding Feronia while I heal both want to steal her from me

[merrygoround]

O2gallop-Hating hind leg bandages seems to go with the surgery. I’ll admit mine had reason, there are now white patches on the front of the cannon bone, and a small patch on the back of the leg. Those pressure marks were there when we got home and were forced to rewrap!! :sigh: Of course there were a few extra days stay at the hospital because of respiratory concerns.

Now 6 mo. later we had our first uneventful day under saddle. Except for a constant attempt to break into a jog, things went well. Another milestone, or should I say monthstone!! The ground is finally dry and the footing good. All I need do is keep Designated Rider sane with all that walking. He’s no better than his mount. :lol:

Quietann What a miserable thing to have happened. I feel for you. Hope for a quick recovery.

[system]

Quietann, hope your hand is doing better! That sounds very painful.

Vicarious, so glad you are finally under saddle! I’m hoping weather will cooperate with us and we will be able to be under saddle during the hot weather! Hopefully that will help with the “freshness” when the time comes.

Parker is fine with the wraps the way my trainer is doing them now. The people at Leesburg said it was fine the way she was wrapping him. I’m still in CT, but my trainer says he is doing fine and loving having his window opened some during the day. We recently moved from another barn where he didn’t have a window, so we’re a little worried about leaving the window opened when no one is there and at night. He is very well-behaved, but he is a stallion and it is springtime

I’m in CT for another week, but very anxious to get home and see him!