Re: Underslung Fetlocks

[Jerry D Milam Jr <milamj@agtelco.com>]

Duncan Fletcher wrote:

> Sounds like degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (dsld) - the key here
> is the bilateral nature. Have you had any current ultrasounds done?

Haven't had any US done since initial diagnosis in Sep 97.

>
> Suspensory damage should be evident. Are you looking at windpuffs or you
> looking at enlarged suspensories?

I'm looking at the way his both his hind fetlocks hang lower to the ground than
his front fetlocks and how straight his hocks have become when looking at him
from a side view.

> Assuming it is dsld, I am unaware of any treatment and long term prognosis is
> not good. Appropriate shoeing can make the horse with advance cases more
> comfortable - contact Jan Young, DVM at Cave Creek, Arizona. There is some
> limited research being done at the Hoof Project at Texas A & M.
>
> Duncan Fletcher
> dfletche@gte.net
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jerry D Milam Jr" <milamj@agtelco.com>
>
> >
> > I need some advice from a veterinary perspective about a problem I see
> > progressing slowly with my 9yo arab. Anyone else out there have any
> experience
> > with this?
> >
> > Some medical history about him is in order. He sustained a 50% tear of his
> L
> > rear suspensory 3 yrs ago. He is healed well from that injury and is
> rideable,
> > but we don't do endurance any more. He is now trusted with our kids riding
> him;
> > they are light and he'll take good care of them. He now has what seems
> like
> > permanent windpuffs bilaterally on hind and both fetlocks are sagging much
> lower
> > than his front fetlocks. He doesn't move in an awkward way and there isn't
> any
> > detectable lameness.
> >
> > My farrier recently commented to me that his hocks are really straight. I
> > started looking at him and it does seem that because his fetlocks are so
> > overflexed, his hocks have compensated for the imbalance with less flexion
> than
> > they used to have.
> >
> > My question is this. Is there something that can be done surgically to
> correct
> > this imbalance in the fetlock, so the hock can regain it's normal flexion?
> I
> > know there must be long term problems associated with this kind of
> imbalance. If
> > there is something surgically that can be done, I'd like to have that
> option
> > while he's still young.
> >
> > If it would help I can send a jpeg of him for analysis.
> >
> > Thanks everyone,
> >
> > Susan and Sabian
> >