Recommendations for good lameness vet northern IL or southern WI

[wdh009]

My 19yr old gelding sometimes plays catch-me-if-you-can in the pasture for a few mins when I call him, but will then come to me. Several days ago he did this again and injured himself in the process. Heading for a fence-line, he tried a sliding stop, but his back end wiped out and hit the ground briefly. He trotted off several yards and then started limping and walked to me with difficulty.

After giving him a once-over, I felt some heat near the top rear of his RR fetlock, and some slight puffiness between the cannon and tendon, just above the fetlock. Nothing else appeared to be out of whack. Local vet was called, who suggested cold-hosing/soaking and icing initially, followed by a DMSO/Furazone sweat. Bute to ease his pain, and stall rest.

My boy was 3-legged lame and could barely gimp forward on his RR-toe until the 3rd day. On day 3 it was as if he had never been lame! He walked up and down the barn aisle without issue, and even relaxed 3-legged while putting weight on the “bad” leg. Day 4 he still appeared to be in good shape. He was then turned out and was fine until later that evening…lame again, same as day 1.

This lameness has come and gone a few times now. Good one day, bad the next. Great for the past two days in a row, then bad again today. When it’s bad, it’s really bad and he’s in obvious discomfort. Other than that 1st, probably ill-advised, turnout, and two short hand-walking sessions when he was feeling good, he has been confined in stall rest for these several days.

I’ve started to doubt that the fetlock area is the problem, so called the vet again for his thoughts. Upon hearing the series of events, he said, although he hasn’t seen it often in horses, it could be a dislocated femur? He said it could pop into place, making him feel fine, and then dislocate again causing this pain. He suggested maybe getting him somewhere for radiographs… Although he has been a great vet for many years, due to his health problems, I might need someone else for this.

I’m not sure what to do at this point. Not sure who to call, not sure where I’d take him (providing I could even get him on/off a trailer). He’s my weekend buddy and my trail horse, and I only care about making him comfortable and pasture-sound.

Can any of you offer some insight re: what might be causing this intermittent lameness, and can any of you recommend vets in my area who are good at diagnosing and treating these problems? My horse is in the Harvard/Marengo area.

Thanks in advance

[ladymcts]

I boarded my horses in a fairly big barn in Libertyville, IL for several years. Many of the owners there used what was Merritt Equine for lameness exams. They were expensive, if I recall I think it was $175 for a farm call, which is why many of us would get together to split calls, and therefore I got to see some interesting exams. In particular, Dr. Marsh was very good. I requested her whenever I had something going on.

They now go by Chicago Equine Medical Center, still based in Wauconda.
http://www.chicagoequine.com/

I moved away 4 years ago, so the place may have changed but Dr. Marsh still is there according to the website info.

[drawstraws]

It may be a little farther than you want to haul but I’ve been very happy with the vets at Wisconsin Equine Clinic in Oconomowoc, WI when I’ve had lameness issues (typically I’ve used Dr. Langer). I haul up there from the Hampshire area when I’ve got a clinic about five minutes from me that I could go to.

[wdh009]

Thank you both for your replies!

[LuvMyTB]

There should be several vets in your area that can do rads in the field/at your farm if you are concerned about being able to haul him. Wisconsin Equine and Chicago Equine both list field services on their websites as well.

[TWH_Girl]

@drawstraws

It may be a little farther than you want to haul but I’ve been very happy with the vets at Wisconsin Equine Clinic in Oconomowoc, WI when I’ve had lameness issues (typically I’ve used Dr. Langer). I haul up there from the Hampshire area when I’ve got a clinic about five minutes from me that I could go to.

I would also recommend Dr Langer.

[myleetlepony]

I third Dr. Langer and will always haul there, even though I’m only 20 min from Chicago Equine.

[Wonders12]

I cannot recommend Irongate Equine, based out of Madison, WI, enough. Pat and Howard are especially great with lamenesses. I would definitely give them a call.

http://irongateequine.com/about_us/the-service-area-we-visit/

[wdh009]

Thanks for the recommendations. My local vet also recommended WI Equine. I will probably start with them if needed. The day after the phone consultation with my vet, he stopped by on his own, just to see how my boy, Boogie, was doing. I wasn’t there at the time, but after examining Boog he changed his assessment to a possible pulled groin muscle. He prescribed daily Banamine and a twice-a-day application of DMSO to the inner side of the upper thigh on the affected leg. He came and checked Boog out again today and said things were looking better. Boog has appeared to be fine for 3 days now, so either the treatment, the stall rest, or the combination of both seem to be helping. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[TWH_Girl]

Hopefully you won’t need to visit but you’ll be in excellent hands at WI Equine. My daughter in law works there though I’ve used them long before. Dr. Langer has a keen eye and doesn’t waste time or money. He’s helped me with both of my boys and I don’t bother with farm vets for any lameness issues now.

[drawstraws]

Glad to hear he’s doing better! Hope he continues to do well.