So at the beginning of this month I did the I’m a Loser post from the Owls Approve blog hop and mentioned the many maladies that Stampede has had over the years. Evidently it was time for Stampede to add to the list because really it had been a while since we added something new instead of repeating a prior issue.
On drugs, icing his foot, and munching on hay slowly
Laminitis in just his left font hoof?
Since everyone has their own terminology here, I want to clarify that by laminitis I just mean inflammation in the hoof. It would be founder if there was any sinking or rotation of the coffin bone. So far, no sign of that.
How did this happen you might ask? I have no idea. The x-rays didn’t show any issues so all we could come up with is that his hoof isn’t really concave so he was probably walking on his sole. A sole with decent depth though. Oh well, mysteries of Stampede I guess?
Using nature to ice the foot
The crazy thing here is that I knew something was up and had called my vet a couple weeks ago to say I thought he was foot sore and we discussed taking x-rays and possibly putting shoes on. I almost had her come out, but then no one else seemed to think he looked bad like I did so I figured either I was crazy or it was his back and I already had a back appointment scheduled (now cancelled of course!). I even talked to the farrier on the phone before Stampede’s last trim less than two weeks ago and asked his opinion. Well…
As my vet said when I called her with an update today, trust your instinct because you are always right. She has been the only vet on my journey with Stampede that trusts my gut and I need to remember that and not get caught up in self-doubt.
So the beast is getting lots of NSAID’s (previcox and banamine) along with ulcergard, lots of hoof icing, and as much hay as he wants to eat.
The plan is two weeks of stall rest, possibly less if things go well, as well as gradually weaning him off banamine as he feels better to leave him only on previcox. At some point then he will get front shoes on. The vet is leaning towards a backwards shoe to take pressure off his toe, but I’m sure we will x-ray again before we get to that point.
Looking a bit brighter today
Starting to feel like I’m just never going to get to ride this horse again, but we will take our time and do things right with his foot then start working on his back all over again.
Mr. P, your duties as main ride continue!
Poor Stampy!!! Sending good vibes your way!
Thanks, we could use some around here, lol.
Oh Stampy, hope he feels better soon *hugs*
Thank you!
So. I hate to be the nervous nelly over here, but have you considered having him tested for Cushings/IR/something along those lines? (Are you already treating him for that? I don’t remember).
Anyways. My old man presented similarly, only with inflammation in both front feet. It was ultimately an strange/early presentation of Cushings. :-/ It’s manageable if you catch it early.
Thanks for the concern, always nice to keep other potential issues in mind! Let me know if you have any other suggestions for help in his recovery, I would appreciate them! I don’t think he’s really a candidate for cushings/IR at this point, but I will verify with the vet next time I talk to her. Stampede is only 13, grows almost no hair, and is already on a fairly low sugar diet just because I prefer it. Plus the fact that it’s only one foot. Certainly if Phoenix were to do this I would be suspicious with his older age!
From what my vet said, it sounds like the perfect storm of hoof changes/trimming that caused him to walk on his sole. He actually went outside and came in sound the day this started. We think the snow made it feel better and he played around outside and pushed things over the edge. Once he was in his stall the inflammation built up until he was really uncomfortable. Stampede always has to do things as strange as possible and I’m still a bit confused as to how this came to happen, but it’s what we’ve been dealt so we will make the best of it.
oh no – poor ouchy Stampede! glad you have a vet that’s on the same page as you tho – good luck treating him!
Thanks! He’s been steadily improving but I wish he would just get back to completely weight bearing while standing!