WHO: Teddy, 6-year-old QH cross
WHAT: Slightly off on RF
WHEN: September 2008
TREATED HOW:
Sept. 10-14 – soak and poultice hoof. No improvement. Normal turnout at this time. Getting more athletic in T/O and getting lamer.
Sept. 16 – Vet visit. 2.5 degree lameness on scale of 0-5. Blocks hoof – 70% sound; blocks fetlock down – 100% sound.
Sept. 23 – Vet visit. Still lame, a bit worse. 3 degree lameness. Block high hoof – negative. Block low fetlock/back of pastern – sound.
Sept 24 – First day of restricted T/O; in portable 30x30-ft. electric, 2 hours total for paddock plus hand grazing.
Sept. 30 – Vet visit. Digital ultrasound back of pastern. Diagnosis = tear of proximal digital annular ligament. Prognosis = should have 100% recovery after 4-6 month lay-up. Plan = active rest, limited T/O, try alternative therapies.
Oct. 3 – Pulled shoes.
Oct. 13 – Start with magnetic ankle boots. Begin with 2 hours and gradually work up to 8 hours per day.
Oct 14 – Start laser therapy, 2X per day for first 7 days.
Oct. 21 – Begin adding Thia-Cal (B1 supplement) to feed, 1oz am and 1oz pm.
Oct 28 – Horse is calmer with addition of B1 and evening walks.
Oct 31 – Vet visit. Ted is at least 1 degree improved. Now about 1.5 degree lame. Magnets are now up to 6-8 hours and laser is 1x per day.
Nov 17 – Horse getting antsy. Increase B1 to 1.5 oz am and 1.5 oz pm. T/O and handgrazing still 2 hours in am and handwalking 15-20 min pm. Laser 1x per day. Magnets still 6-8 hrs per day.
Dec 1 – Vet visit. SOUND. Digital ultrasound shows 85% healed. Plan – discontinue laser. Keep using magnets. Continue restricted T/O and give another 30 days off. Then start 8-week back to work program.
Dec 18 - Ted needs a job. Start BTW program early, do week 1 program for 3 weeks, then resume with week 2 program.
May 1 - Riding back to pre-injury levels.
Thanks to Ellen K. Nose of Coopersburg, PA for sharing Teddy’s story!
Ellen and Ted send heartfelt thanks to Peter Blauner, VMD, for his diagnostic excellence and guidance in managing Ted's care. Dr. Blauner is a 1981 Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. (blaunervmd@aol.com, www.whatsupdocvmd.com)