HELP Shoulder Arthritis - Health & Supplements - Health & Supplements - Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information

Posted : 3/15/2011 1:29:58 PM

My husband's 6 yo draft paint cross was recently diagnosed with arthritis in his shoulder. The vet put him on a round of adequan which worked while he was taking the shots. A week after the round of shots was over, he was lame again. The vet suggested that we try another round, since he is such a large horse.
I am really worried that this won't be a good long term solution for him.

Also, the vet refused to issue a prescription, telling me that I had to order the shot from his office. This was a problem because 1) he charges double what I could pay online and 2) when the vet suggested the second round of shots, they were out and so my husband's poor horse had to suffer for TWO WEEKS, before they could get the shots to me.

Has anyone had a problem with a vet not supplying a prescription and have any of you had success treating shoulder lameness?

At this point we are not expecting to ride this horse again, we simply want to find a way to keep him as comfortable as possible.

Thanks!

DaneHaven

Posted : 3/15/2011 2:02:54 PM

equinejunkie,
Very nice to see you again!
First off I say that stinks, get a new vet and a new opinion.
Easy for me to say right? I have 4 vets and they all know each other and I use them all equally for their specialties. Do you have access to a good equine chiropractor?

equinejunkie

Posted : 3/16/2011 12:37:09 PM

Thanks DaneHaven!

When we took Ranger to the vet 2 of the vets there looked at him. One said that we probably would never ride him again, and the second said that he was pretty sure he could get him to the point where we could ride him on trail rides. At this point we don't want to ride him, we just don't want him to suffer.

I told my DH that we should take him to another vet when we run out of adequan. He agreed.

I only know of one chiropractor, but I'm not sure if I trust him. I went to him for a minor adjustment and (he's also a chiropractor for people) and he really screwed up my back, so I would be hessitant to trust him with my horse. We did have an xray on his shoulder that showed the arthritis. Can a chiropractor help with arthritis?

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but if we can't get him sound is is cruel allow him to keep suffering? Watching him limp around I can't help to wonder if I am being selfish letting him suffer while we try to find something that MIGHT help him. Do people put down horses for severe lameness in the shoulder? Am I overreacting to think that?

I miss my Arizona vets! Since moving to Texas I have found it a challange to find a vet (and a farrier) that I completely comfortable with, which only makes this process more difficult.

DaneHaven

Posted : 3/16/2011 4:52:43 PM

He is only 6 and has arthritis that bad?
My chiro just recently told me to semi-retire my Tonto due to arthritis. But he is 13 and had a very severe accident 5 yrs ago. What about supplements? I have had excellent results using pure glucosamine powder and MSM on the Danes. I use a horse product at a reduced dosage. I will be trying it on Tonto if he starts to have discomfort. I am sooo lucky to have good vets.
You are welcome to make a trip here if you can't get help there?

equinejunkie

Posted : 3/16/2011 7:35:12 PM

Yes, the poor guy is only 6. We broke him to ride when he was 4, rode him for about 6 months then he went to pasture (long story but we were unable to continue boarding locally and put him and the other 2 horses (my boys) on my DH's ranch) We haven't ridden him in over a year and a half. The vet doesn't know why he developed the arthritis. He plays pretty rough with one of the other horses and I wonder if he got kicked just right.

For now they are still on the ranch (they have a 12 acre pasture) about an hour from where I'm living. We go there every weekend, and during the week when I give him the shots, but have been unable to use a daily glucosomine for now. We're in the process of building a home and should have the boys in my back yard within 6 months. I'm trying to think of someone close by that I can get to board him so we can try it.

I thinking about putting him on the 20 acres where we are starting to build. There are some heifers that we are weaning there so we can't move the other two horses for now because one of them enjoys tormenting animals that are smaller than him. I'm just concerned about putting him there alone without the other horses.

hunterseat

Posted : 3/17/2011 9:33:35 AM

Hi ej!!
I've had good results with different joint supplements. Don't give up until you try some. I think Cosiquin is the name of the gallon jug you can buy but he'd have to have it every day. Senior feed has it, too and can be real nice feed, if a bit more costly.
I know, as you say, injury can lead to arthritis.
Great seeing you! I'm getting closer to Texas! (should be there in June/July at some point)

equinejunkie

Posted : 3/17/2011 2:05:34 PM

For now I still have him on the adequan. I'll be going out there today to give him another dose.

HS- Are you moving to Texas? That would be great. The only bad thing about Texas is it's so dang big! I am pretty close to the southern tip so I am really far from everything! [&:]

We have 4 more doses of the adequan so we'll see how it goes. After that we'll have to find another vet (hopefully one that provides prescriptions). I was just hoping one of you guys knew of a miracle cure.

hunterseat

Posted : 3/17/2011 4:22:38 PM

Not positive exactly where. sorta following God's lead, actually. Sometimes he comes up with some surprises!

The joint sup was like a miracle for Miles. But I'd like to know how he did with the harsh winter.