What would you do...

[Whizz105]

foal 3 weeks old today. went to vets last night to be chipped and I'D'd. Ask vet (new vet as moved yards) opinion on near fore as still not straight. He wants to look again in 3 weeks but may have to operate - not huge operation just to help growth plate just above knee. mentioned that previous vet mentioned shockwave or remedial and he said not heard of shockwave for this but will to give it a go and remedial not an option in this case.

What would you do/think?

photo taken at vets - this is how she stands resting!

[chevs]

Hi

My filly was the exact same as yours. My very experienced stud vet said that she'd need surgery and took photo's to send to an orthopedic surgeon who agreed. It really concerned me so I got my farrier out to have a look, he said that remedial farriery may help but as it was so far out it may not make it perfect.

I went for the surgery. Filly was operated on 3 and a half weeks ago and what a difference. Her right leg was the worst so she had a screw placed into her growth plate to stop the inside of the leg growing so the outside could catch up. The left leg wasn't as bad so she just had a periostal strip done.

We had to travel 6 hours to the vet school to have the operation. She stayed in for a week. The experience hasn't effected her at all, she is very sociable and will let me do anything to her.

Down side is that they have to stay in for a minimum of 4 weeks afterwards. My filly is really bored now, but if it makes her straight then it has to be worth it.

Any thing else I can help with send me a PM.

Good luck whatever you decide to do, your filly is gorgeous!

[Whizz105]

Thank you, getting second opinion on Wed. with YO vet as coming up anyway to geld some yearlings!

May have to beg YO for stable to restrict exercise as only came last week as grass livery!

Took some pics of her today.

[sallyf]

Foal needs to be in on very restricted exercise.
We had a visitng foal not that bad and he was in for all bar 10 mins twice a day for quite a number of weeks .
The vets trimmed a bit off his feet every few days.
Personally i would be surprised if something as bad as this foal is would correct without surgery.
Foal needed being in before now really .
If it was my foal i would box him and his mother up and take them into either Rossdales or Newmarket equine clinic and have the knee exrayed so that a proper diagnosis can be made.
They would see many more foals like this and would give you a better idea

[eventrider23]

Our baby from this year had a similar problem and he has been on very very restricted exercise.....for the first 6 weeks he was only allowed out of his box onto the concrete yard or the paddock for max 15 mins twice a day. He is now almost 100% and just needs a tiny bit of straightening left to go and so is now allowed out every day for up to 2 hours. It was initially recommended to have the surgery but after lots of thought it was decided that as it was caught very early that we would try managing it first and luckily enough it has straightened without any intereference but he is having a medial extension put on his foot next week just to finish the correction.

I would get her in asap if I were you (not to panic you at all)....the main reason for this is that baby needs time to rest and relax and allow the leg to sort itself out without leaping around on it too much. Short stretches of exercise just give the leg the chance to do some work and then they get to come in and relax it. Being out in the field 24/7 just means that they are exercising too much and thus putting the leg under strain, decreasing the chance it has to straighten up.

[Whizz105]

Thank you, I am getting stressed about it now, going to spk to YO to see if possible to have a stable...

[eventrider23]

Do not get yourself into a stress......just make sure you get some sort of stable/restriction area sorted for her.

[ProperBo]

arh hun! I have no experience of this but the general concensus is get her in and stabled and restrict excercise. These are from people who know from experience. If she were mine then I would only let leahurst Bristol or one of the other top vet clinics do it. Research some of the best equine vets, dont just let any vet do it. I know leahurst are Brilliant but Bristol are equally as good. Im sure the New market clinic will be good, but check them all out first.

Chin up hun. If you were nearere me id say stable them at my yard!! so unless you want to move. ;-)
xx

[brackenspa]

We had a colt born 19 days early this year and both his front legs were a bit off centre! He has had remedial plastic extensions fitted and restricted exercise now for three weeks and the difference is amazing. Definately worth a try. Good luck.

[Whizz105]

thank you! now have stable and paddock thanks to YO. So only going to turn out when I muck out...