A vet visit for Lily

Lily has been showing a lot of symptoms of mild to moderate lameness and just not quite right on and off over the last few years. In December 2008, she was acutely lame. The vet did flexion tests and x-rays then, but there was no diagnosis. She improved somewhat, but not entirely. Now that she’s done having babies and back with me since November, I’ve been watching her closely. And I’ve been reading a lot on the net, researching. I had myself scared into thinking that she might have the early signs of DSLD/ESPA. Instead of continuing to worry, I hauled her into the clinic for some tests today. I was all prepared to have three or four of her legs ultrasounded.

It started to rain, as I left the barn and the wind whipped up. By the time I reached the clinic, there were gusts that blew the rain every which way. This is what we had to work in for the flexions and movement portion of the exam.

Dr. C spent over an hour with us. First palpation of her legs. No sensitivity found in the lower areas, but some in the upper hind tendons. Trotting out, she showed 2 out of 5 lame on the right front. She was sensitive to hoof testers in the heel and frog, so he did a low nerve block after some discussion. Wait for it to take effect and trot out again. This time lame on left front, but not quite as much. Sedate and x-ray. Her bones looked very good.

What he saw and explained was a very thin sole in both feet, .5 cm, when it should be .6-1 cm. The hoof wall was overly thick 1.7-1.8 cm, but parallel to the coffin bone. Coffin bone was not rotated at all, but Dr. C thought the thick front wall was a sign of past laminitis, as was the overly thin soles. He also drew blood for a selenium test. I’ll know that in a week or so.

He said that her condition and weight were perfect and that the low sugar/starch local grass hay with a little TC Low Starch feed with flax, Equerry Plus and MSM was good and to continue. Based on the blood test, I may add a Selenium/E supplement. He also wanted me to consider giving her Thyro-L medication and to shoe her front feet for the summer to give her soles a chance to thicken. I am considering plastic shoes. Most important, Dr. C saw NO signs of DSLD, though we did not do ultrasounds. He did think that she has IR tendencies and that I should treat her as such. In other words, no lush, green spring grass. She is back in her own, peaceful, near dry lot.

I AM RELIEVED! I have to thank a good friend for coming out in the pouring, driving rain to video the whole thing. (you know who you are!) I am going to watch it later to make sure that I didn’t miss anything. This is a first step. I know that there may be other issues, but I feel that I can now start treating my wonderful Lily. We might yet ride at Bandit Springs in July.

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