1. ECIR | Main
  2. Topics

Update for Maggie

Tiffany Woodward
 

I have updated Maggie's case history and added some new hoof photos that I took this morning.  Just a heads up that when I added them to her album, they were put in some strange order.  I tried to rearrange the photos, and it let me move 2, but 2 pictures are still at the bottom.  They are labeled March 2015 though.

I started Maggie on jiaogulan about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I wanted the farrier to trim her first, and get her toe back to the edge of the crack on the right front.  That definitely helped her breakover, but she was still reluctant to move, and spent most of the day standing in the deepest part of her stall.  I started the jiaogulan at 3/4 teaspoon twice a day (it is given with her daily feedings).  I noticed that she began standing a little differently even at the low dose, but didn't see any change as far as movement.  I moved her up to 1 teaspoon twice a day and she began meandering her stall a little more.  She spent less time standing in one spot, and would walk and look out her back window, and willingly walk up to her door when I opened it.  I could tell that her gums were getting a little pinker.  I tried 1 1/4 teaspoon twice a day and her gums turned a nice "bubble gum" pink color, and I could really tell a dramatic difference in her comfort.  On about the 3rd day the barn owner called me one evening to tell me that Maggie was bucking in her stall at feed time.  This scared me a little bit, so I dropped her down to 1 teaspoon twice a day again.  She was still comfortable, but not jumping around her stall.

I noticed over the past weekend that she wasn't quite as mobile as she has been over the last week.  She's definitely still better than she was before jiaogulan, but I can tell that something's up.  Is this a sign that I should go back to 1 1/4 teaspoon?  Or, should I consider adding alcar at this point?  Or AAKG?  I see that AAKG is indicated for cold-induced pain, and we are actually pretty warm now.  The temp has not been below 40 since Saturday, and we are supposed to top out in the 50s & 60s all week (no nights below 40 in the 7 days forecast).  Or, is it just a sign that she's due for another trim?  She's at 3 weeks now with the farrier due at the end of this week.  Or, could it be that she's been moving around too much?  Or maybe all of the above?

Tiffany in NC
Nov. 2014

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/echistory8/files/TiffanyWoodward%20and%20Maggie/

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/echistory8/photos/albums/540173897

 
Eleanor Kellon, VMD
 

Second attempt here. Sorry if it's a duplicate.

I always worry about too much activity too but as far as I know there has never been any further hoof damage as a result.

There's a good chance she may be mobilizing abscess/fluid collections. The timing is right.

Try increasing the dose again for a few days.  That won't change comfort if she's trying to drain.  The trim may result in any collections draining shortly after.  Let us know!

Eleanor in PA
www.drkellon.com
EC Co-owner
Feb 2001
Lavinia Fiscaletti
 


Hi Tiffany,

Yahoo uploads pictures in its own, odd way. If you click on "Actions" in the upper right of the screen, then click on "Date" twice, it will arrange them from newest to oldest by date. Won't necessarily keep them that way but allows you see them that way.

Looks like the toes got backed up fairly well. Heels were dropped too, so good start. Need to keep doing that. The lateral views need to be done with the feet on a firm, clean surface and the camera on the ground, lens lined up with the center of the leg on the true side. Overall, moved in the right direction. That likely has mobilized some "stuff" within the feet because the mechanics are improved. There is sinking on the xrays so even with the trim more correct she won't necessarily be strutting right out. It will take time. Is she in boots+pads to help her comfort? That she is coming due for a trim is certainly something that could also be playing a part. Will want to concentrate on getting the heels lower and realigning the breakover once they are trimmed.

Lavinia, Dante, George Too and Peanut
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

>>>>
Tiffany Woodward
 

Sorry, I had to improvise on the photos since she isn't able to walk out and stand on the concrete at this point.  Maybe if I had tried to take the pictures last week when she was so much improved it could have been done.  She is wearing Soft Rides and pads (which we cut flat) pretty much 24/7 except when I take them off for cleaning.  I also have a pair of Easyboot RX on "loan" to try.  She likes the SoftRide pads, but I sometimes wonder if those boots make it more difficult for her to move just because they are so heavy and look to me like they extend the breakover point.

I'm going to try Dr. Kellon's suggestion to increase her jiaogulan back to 1 1/4 teaspoons 2x per day for a few days to see what happens.  Since it's warmer maybe she won't start bouncing off the walls again (it was much cooler when that occurred and she's always been a goof in cooler weather).  The possibility of abscesses crossed my mind, but I wasn't sure about the other factors (like being close to trim time, maybe moving too much too soon, etc.).


Tiffany in NC
Nov. 2014

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/echistory8/files/TiffanyWoodward%20and%20Maggie/

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/echistory8/photos/albums/540173897

 
Lavinia Fiscaletti
 

Understand it can be difficult. Her comfort comes first. Could try to put a piece of matting or a small piece of plywood under her foot just to take the picture. SR's are good, great that you've cut the pads flat. You're right that the boots will move the breakover forward - can compensate for that by rasping a bigger bevel into the leading edge of the boots.

You were right that any/all the factors you mentioned are possibilities. Unfortunately, healing isn't always a linear process. Wish it were, for our horses' sakes and our sanity.

Lavinia, Dante, George Too and Peanut
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

>>>>

1 - 5 of 5