For
three years I have been trying to get Cody's stifle worked out. PT,
Chiropractor, Estrone, Blistering, Adequan... hills, cavalettis, backing
up, sand, water....
He had x rays today and the ligament is so large and thick the only thing they could do for it was cut it completely....
And he's still locking so now we play the waiting game to see if it heals. There is nothing left to be done for it but time.
Here are the notes I gave to the vet outlining his history:
Roekel. Recommended blistering. Decided to hold off until he
was older as he might outgrow it.
Sept 2009
– Stifle issues increased. Back problem suspected. Doc Davis sent him to Dr. Di Amato for
adjustment. Di Amato saw him 5 times
between September 2009 and 2010.
January 2010
– Threw himself in pasture. Registered red and white on the specro thingie.
Could barely walk. Doc Davis
shot him full of vitamins, anti-inflammatory and steroids then put him on 8
weeks of rest. No turn out in the big pasture, just small paddock and rest. He
recovered. Stifles still off here and there. No changes.
2011 –
typical. Stifles off and on, no big issues.
2012 – March 31
– Tillis Hills. Went up and down steep hills. After ride he developed a knot on
his back. Sore to touch but the swelling went down.
April 6, 2012
– Stifles blistered by Dr. McGinty
April / early May
– Worked every day or every other day after blister stifle. Did very well. No
sign of Stifle problems. But VERY pacey in his gait.
Mid May –
Stifle issues back with a vengeance. Lump on back grew a little. Stifles
actually locking and causing him to drag one back leg or trip due to knuckling
under.
June –
Knot still there. Sore to touch. Attitude change. Acted sick on a recent ride…
depressed even. Fell in his stall and was down on his rear for several moments,
unable to get back up. Locking stifle inconsistent.
June 22 –
Saw Dr. McGinty and started on But and Estrogen injections. 2 lines of bute 2
times a day for three days, 1 line of bute 2 times a day for four days, 5 cc of estrogen twice a week (Friday and
Tuesday)
Weekend (June
23-24): locking wasn’t too bad over the weekend. He seemed a little
more comfortable but he was sullen.
Following week
–Started locking very badly. Very sullen and depressed. Toward end of week he
avoided movement. Swiveling and pivoting instead of stepping out. Very sullen
and anti social.
July 1 –
Rode at Alafia. Started off locking badly. Almost didn’t take him because he
was so bad. We walked about 10 minutes then did hills, working up to steeper
(but not too steep). After 40 minutes he loosened up and moved with only a few
hitches.
July 4 –
Rode at Alafia again. Took about 20 minutes for him to loosen up. When he stood
for more than a few minutes, he starts locking again. Padded his back heavily
and it helped with the knot. It was not sore after ride. Seems to be a bad
pressure point on the saddle. Buying a new memory pad but meanwhile, using
extra padding.
