broken pelvis

[lilnagy]

After having such a high point in my life in the last two weeks ( riding my older Kiger mare for the first time ), I am now dealing with her coming two year old filly who has broken her pelvis. Isabel fell getting out of the trailer, a routine thing that somehow went wrong. I thought at first that she had pulled the ligaments in her hind leg, though there didn't seem to be the amount of swelling I thought there should be for that. Yesterday I had the vet out, and at first she though either a joint infection or a fracture in the hock. She had a temp of 101.7.

So I took Isabel into the clinic, and when the vet went to examine her more thoroughly she found the wobble and crackling in her hip. At first they thought her pelvis was broken in 2 or 3 places, and that recovery was not going to be possible. We went to bed last night thinking we would have her put down today. The one break, higher up (sorry I can't remember the name of the bone) I can feel by resting my hand on Isabel's hip as she takes a step. By doing a rectal exam the vet thought there were one or two more breaks somewhere in the lower part of the pelvis, but she couldn't be sure. She called Pilchuck Equine Hospital, and they said they would do an ultrasound to look for pelvic fractures, so that was done this afternoon, and they were not able to find anything conclusive.

One of the biggest concerns is that even if the broken bone mends, if she won't bear at least some weight with that hind leg,she is at risk for chronic laminitis in the other hind hoof. She got a double dose of Bute last night, and spent the night at the vets. She has begun to put a little weight on it today, and her temp has come down. And with the vet not being able to find more than the one fracture, they are sending her home tomorrow, but telling me not to be optimistic until we have made it 3 to 6 months. She will have confinement in an 8x8 stall, and regular doses of Bute, and we just wait and see. I will let you all know how she does.

Do any of you have any experience with rehabing a horse with a broken pelvis? I have to say I have a wonderful vet, Dr Krystal Grant. She grew up riding a BLM mustang, and is great with my horses.

Here is a pic of Isabel, she is out of my mare Riddle Conchetta and by Barb and George's Kiger Tiger 1 (Buddy).

[Michelle Clarke]

Oh my....I am so sorry, can't imagine what you are going through.

My father-in-law had a stroke 2 years back and at the time still had 12 Paso Finos. One mare had been left in a 100 acre pasture with a herd and had been kicked - she had a break somewhere in the hindend. She was left for three months with no care. The people who were watching them thought she was "lame" and needed a good farrier. Needless to say, I took her to the vet. She said there was not much we could do but give her time and see. Some days she was good, some days not so good. She was on stall rest for a long time, but it got to where when she layed down, she needed help getting up so I had to move her to a small pasture so I could help her without fear of either of us getting hurt. If I could roll her up on her belly, she could push herself up. There was a tree that stuck out right at butt level, and she would backup to that to sit on and rest herself. Some days she would paso around and even tease Charro with a gleam in her eye (we gave her run of the whole back area behind the barn during the day so she could have adventures).

We went through a nasty infection that abcessed out on her rump too. When it was all said and done, she let us know when she was ready to go in no uncertain terms. She was just tired of it I am sure. The vet said it most likely began healing wrong by the time we go to it and there was nothing we could do. Turns out she had broken her sacrum and a vertabrae in her lumbar. She had been hobbling around that pasture so long, the bone was all worn down and crumbly - just could not heal up.

With catching it right away with your filly and her being so young, I bet she will heal up well. We recently dealt with a fractured neck of a yearling that belongs to a client and we got the colt on some good products to assist with healing properly. The second set of exrays showed NO fracture and it did not fuse to the other vertabrae like was figured would happen...email me if you would like info on what we did, I would be glad to help.

She is a beautiful girl.

[fantasykiger]

She is a lovely filly and it so sad to hear this news. You do have that plus that she is young and should heal well, and more quickly. I have never experienced a pelvic fracture with a horse. So keep in touch and let us now how your girl is doing.

[JoanMRK]

I'm so sorry Lil! I have no advice, never had to deal w/ any broken bones fortunately! But please do keep us updated. Yes, I agree, it is a good thing she's young!

[stormyranch]

Lil, hang in there girl. I have faith that Isabel with heal up. I have dealt with many mustang injuries and am always amazed had how fast they heal.
We had one wild stallion that had a really bad gash in his leg. The vet couldn't touch him and thought it would be too tramatic for him to try to tranqulize him. When he came back a few days later he about fell over as the wound was healing nicely. A week later he came back and was truely amazed at the progress.
So we will keep good thoughts for you and Isabel.

[dunbnwild]

When Lazzy was about 2-3 years old, my mom found her out in the pasture standing, but not moving. I was out of town at the time--this was when I worked on the cruise ship and was gone for large chunks of time--so I can't say for certain what everything was like, I just know that we got 3 vet opinions and they were all different--however she never went to a clinic for any major tests. The two biggest possibilities were EPM or a torqued pelvis probably caused by running and bucking and slipped or something.

So we had two very conflicting recovery plans. In the end, I believe she had the torqued pelvis. When I saw her I was horrified--you could visibly see one side of her hip was higher than the other and the spine right where her hips began looked all jacked up. Her muscles had atrophied (sp?) and she was right in the middle of having a big growth spurts and just not keeping weight on well. Plus, she does not handle being kept up from the herd and went into a depression and didn't eat. It was awful

It took a few years, and we even did some chiropractic stuff (though be very careful who you have do that—I think this person was a quack and could’ve damaged her further) – but she does seem pretty normal now. I can still see the bump/bone at her hips is different--but she is fine, has great mobility and should be able to have babies and such.

If she did in fact break anything—I do not know. The one vet described it more as a separation and a re-fusing together of the bones, which would result in the odd bump. (Pardon my layman’s terms, as it was a long time ago) She was never taken for x-rays or anything like that.

All of my Kigers are amazing healers. Mari broke her shoulder in the wild and survived and doesn’t look half bad—could even be lightly ridden if both she and I were so inclined.

Please keep us posted and stay positive!

[desperatehorsewife]

Oh, yikes...what a shame, Lil. No experience or advice, but I feel for you, hon!

[lilnagy]

I went out and purchased stall mats and shavings last night, and borrowed corral panels from KimK this morning, and then went and brought her home. She is in an 8x8 stall, in our carport, right outside the back door where I can see her and check on her frequently. She is eating and drinking, but restless. She wants to be out with the other horses. My big concern right now will be getting her back up after she lays down. The vet says give her a few hours to rest then haul her to her feet! easier said than done... I will post how she is in a few days. Lil

[Michelle Clarke]

When the paso mare we had would lay down on her right side (the side that was okay), she could get up. After she started feeling a little better, she would get down on that left side and then could not get back up. Being that she was small, I was able to put a rope around her off hindleg and her off front leg and gently turn her over her back, then push her up on her shoulder to a laying up position, then she could get herself up.

Keep us posted...I feel for you.

[dunbnwild]

Wonderful that she is so close to you, that should help with the boredom. Might want to get one of those stall-treat things that they have to lick/play with, just so she'll have something to do. Also maybe have a radio playing or other nice and calming distractions.

Also, if it doesn't over excited her, it would be good to bring another horse over for visits--one who is quiet of course.

How long is she supposed to be kept up? Are you able to walk her for exercise?

[stlkigers]

Lil:

Keep us posted in how she does.....I'm saying prayers for you and Isabel....Everytime we get ice I always cringe if I see the horses playing too much....A friend of mine had to put her yearling down because of multiple fractures due to ice frolic.....And poor Isabel, just getting out of the trailer.....If anything helps her it will be her youth and your love with her.....

Angela

[lilnagy]

Thank you everyone for all your kind words! Isabel is doing well, I think. Eating drinking and pooping. not so restless that she is fretting, but she is bored. I did go get her one of those stall toys, with a peppermint part to lick and a ball to play with. She made her own fun yesterday. I put her hay in a hanging hay bag, and left the house for an hour or so. She apparently though there were tasty morsels in the bottom of the bag, and was sticking her head down through the top, and when she lifted her head up, the bag went over her head. So I got home, and there she was standing with the bag over her head so she couldn't see a thing! Did i mention that this is a VERY calm horse? She was just waiting for someone to come take the bag off her head!

I will be able to let a horse or two out into the back yard for short periods, so she could have a little company. Does anyone have other ideas for things to help with her boredom? her stall confinement will be 3 to 6 months! She still has not lay down since we got her home Friday morning... i don't know how long they can go without lying down.

Also, I am wondering what some of you might suggest in the way of supplements to help her healing bone. All I can think of is extra calcium.

I was my husband's idea to set her up in the carport, and that has turned out to be a good thing, as she gets lots of attention as our big family comes and goes a million places. Here she is this morning.

[DianneC]

Lil, you could learn clicker training with her. I know that's what one friend did. There is lots of information on line by Andrea Kurtland. I don't know where it was broken but at the dressage barn they had a gelding that had had a really bad break in his pelvis. He had been brought back to health and was used as a lesson horse. He was so funny, if he didn't want to be ridden he would limp horribly, but every now and then he'd forget which leg to limp on.

[canadiankigers]

Lil, I did a quick google search and found this information on holistic equine care. www.foalmaker.com/therapeutic_nutrition2.html I found it rather informative about the different equine theraputic nutrients available. Hopefully you can find something here that will aid in Isabel's recovery. I have never had to deal with such a terrible injury before (thank goodness) so I am not the best person to ask for advive, but this article really covers some good points on healing nutrients and the best way to administer them. I hope this helps. Please give Isabel an extra special scritch and a hug for all of us.
Kelly

[Michelle Clarke]

The number one thing I would put her on is a calcium moblizer from ABC called 3 Mins. Quadruple the dose for 2 weeks, then go double dose for the next few months.

www.abcplus.biz/

Whole flax and white millet are two others that should not be too difficult to find at a general feed store. About 1 cup of each per day - split into two feedings.

As far as dried herbs: Comfrey, yarrow and Equistem (aka Horsetail). Mix equally in a container (keep out of sun and light). Give 1 cup 2x's/day for 4-6 weeks, then 1/2 cup 2x's/day for the next few months.

You can add Meadowsweet (natural asprin, without stomach upset) for the first 2-3 weeks for pain management. 1/4 cup per day (can split feedings). If she feels too good, then cut back to once a day.

You can also add Dandelion to the top mix equally - this is a duretic and will move any buildup of toxins out through the urine. Consider adding Cleavers (1/2 amount compared to the other herbs) after the first month or so to assist the lympathic system. This is especially important if she is not moving around and may be getting stocked up. If you add the Cleavers, make sure you add the Dandelion or else the toxins may try to reabsorb and cause hives or other itchies.

If she is getting too anxious, there are other herbs to keep her quiet and settled without being "drugged" or foggy.

Any good health food store will also have Rescue Remedy - I can't live without that one. A few drops in her feed daily will be of great assistance to keeping her calm. Just only use it as needed, so she does not get immune to its' effects. This is the number one item for shock - for the horse AND you! I've had downed horses bleeding out that have gotten up and walked a mile to the barn to be taken to the hospital - great stuff!

If she is getting belly achie for any reason, you can safely add 30-40 ml of Aloe Juice for the stomach. Helps prevent and treat ulcers. This has to be kept in the fridge though, once opened. Never met a horse that did not love it!

Hope this helps...