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Post Hock Injections

Hock: Dorsal View Hock: Lateral View

We would like to make several recommendations pursuant to the treatment your horse just received for distal tarsitis (hock soreness). A combination of both short- and long-acting steroid as well as a synthetic hyaluronan were infused into both distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints (i.e. the two bottom joints of the hock; see diagram above). An analgesic (pain killer) was administered along with the sedative to reduce discomfort during the procedure, and 2 grams phenylbutazone was administered intravenously to reduce discomfort over the next 12-24 hours. No more medication for discomfort is required.

 

Hock Injections

 

Please do not bathe your horse for 24 hours following the procedure. Although the inject portals seal very quickly, we request that they not come in contact with water for at least 24 hours, as this may increase the chance for contamination.

Resume exercise gradually. The presence of medication in your horse’s joints can result in mild discomfort that can last for several days. Therefore, we suggest giving your horse some time off prior to resuming normal exercise. This will allow the medication to take effect as well as the secondary problems (such as back soreness) to subside.

  • We recommend not exercising the horse on the day of treatment as well as the 2 days following treatment (i.e. a total of three days). Turnout is permitted during this time.(1)

  • You may resume light work (i.e.walking and trotting on a loose rein) during the following 2 days (i.e. day 3 and 4 post-injection).

  • Normal exercise may resume on the fifth post-injection day.(2)

(1) If it is raining outside, we do not recommend turnout during the first 24 hours post-injection, as the water may contaminate the injection sites.
(2) If secondary problems (such as back soreness or thoracic suspensory desmitis) are severe, we may recommend more time off prior to resuming exercise.

Monitor the injection site(s) for increased swelling, heat, pain, or any other abnormality(ies). Please call IMMEDIATELY if any questions or concerns arise: OFFICE: 678-867-2577; DR. GRISEL'S CELL: 706-658-4713.

Monitor performance: determine 1) the DEGREE and 2) the DURATION of improvement. Your horse’s response to the injections will play a large part in helping us develop a future performance maintenance regimen. The effect of the medication typically maximizes in 2 weeks post-injection, so wait 2-4 weeks to assess the initial response.

We will call you an average of once weekly to check on progress.

 

To learn more about DISTAL TARSITIS please click HERE.


THE ATLANTA EQUINE CLINIC: 1665 Ward Road, Hoschton, Georgia 30548 - ph. 678-867-2577

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