Alick lame on and off for 6 weeks

[kirsty26uk]

Hi can anyone help since ive had alick hes always been dopey and abit clumbsy but the last 6 weeks hes been lame on his right hind so i was advised to bute him for 30days which i have and he seemed to get better the last week hes been on nothing and now he looks very stiff and not happy being on both hind legs esp his left hind i do know hes got a stifle injury which i do think his is left hind i do think hes got arthritis i am getting the vet up anyway tomorrow again to have a look at him he also wants to go out less and be in more i work at a vets myself but they only do small animals so ive checked general bloods and are fine sometimes he drinks loads sometimes he doesnt hes always been like that his coat is fine just wondering if anyone had any ideas ive read alot about stuff but just dont know hopefully tomorrow i will know

[kirsty26uk]

sorry he does loosen off when walked out but doesnt look right when ridden i only do about 5 - 10 mins cause when i ask for trot hes not happy and hes worse defo turning hes also been on cortaflex but that doesnt seem to work

[Fi]

Sam's a bit like that - just seems not quite right sometimes. Vet thought it was probably his arthritis getting a bit worse.

[harveydales]

It's such a worry when this sort of thing happens and you can't pinpoint the cause. I hope the vet can help so you can get to the bottom of the problem. Hard to know what to do for the best when you don't know whether it's an arthriticy type of problem or muscular. Interesting what you say about the drinking. Harvey went through a phase of drinking a lot a few weeks ago and, of course, I started panicing that it may be a sign of Cushings starting but he is now drinking normally again. They do make us worry. Let us know what the vet says tomorrow.

[kirsty26uk]

Hi, thank you for your replies lol the came up this morning she thinks its arthritis hes defo lame on l/hind but also doesnt look right on right hind probably because hes compensating but also hes lame or not level sorry on his r/fore again compensating because of hind legs obviously without xrays scans and poss nerve blocking they wont know for 100% however am going to try him back on bute as he did improve loads and see how he goes probably be on low dose but for rest of life so its good news as its nothing hopefully too serious just joints so hes back on thy bute and i have to ride him for short periods and see how he goes will keep u updated guys oh and am going to buy him some glucosamine tabs too as he loves his tea so no probs giving them to him hes such a good boy though anyone found any products good for joint support??? thanks guys

[harveydales]

Well that's good news. He is bound to be compensating for his left hind with all sorts of muscles. From what you say he is only slightly lame and so gentle exersise and low dose bute for a while is probably the best thing.

These elderly arthritic ponies do best with gentle work. If I stopped exersising Harvey I'm sure he would sieze up and be miserable.

Do keep us posted.

[zeldalithgow]

Linseed meal can help with arthritis

[tinkerdorisalison]

Kirsty I've pm'd you

[kirsty26uk]

Hi Alick's been on the bute for around 1 week now and hes loads better i hacked him out today for 15mins to build him back up so hopefully x fingers this will work