Case Study - Arthritis, Bowed Tendon
"Silk"
17 y/o fox trotter gelding
NitrOxide
Veterinarian diagnosis:
Severe arthritis, old bowed
tendons (both front legs) L. front inflamed due to improper bandaging, very poor
front end conformation, over at the knees, contracted tendons.
Brief history:
"Silk" was brought in to San Diego
Equine Sports Therapy in 1999, to help heal a bowed tendon in his L. front.
Diagnostic ultrasound showed an old bow in the R. front, and severe tendon and
ligament damage in the L. front. This injury was approx. 2 months old. The owner
had been treating by bandaging with a "Sports Medicine boot" pulled as tightly
as possible, "to make the leg look good". The initial injury according to the
treating vet, had only involved the inferior check ligament. "Silk" had been on
1 1/2 gms. phenylbutazone 2x daily, and was on a daily walking routine to help
heal the tendon correctly. The horse was unable to walk more than 5 strides
w/out stumbling and nearly going down. His feet were shod with very long toes,
extremely underslug heels, and weighted shoes. At the veterinarian’s
recommendation, the shoes were pulled, feet trimmed w/ a 4 point trim, with toes
cut way back. The horse stopped stumbling immediately. "Silk" was treated with
therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stim, laser therapy, poultices, massage,
support bandages, and hand walking. His tendon was unresponsive to all
therapies. The tendon was injected, and this also did not help. "Silk" was very
arthritic, and according to his owner, completely normal for him to lie down
until late morning, then take nearly 15 minutes to rise. First swinging his head
for momentum, then sitting like a dog, and eventually trying to stand. Then he
would have to "walk it out". His gait was very stilted until he could loosen his
muscles. He also colicked frequently, sometimes as often as every two weeks. He
was treated with massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture therapies administered
by veterinarians. He was put on joint supplements, had an Adequan series, all to
no avail. His owner needed a sound trail horse, and decided to get another
horse.
"Silk" was given to the facility for back board due. Three
different veterinarians felt there was nothing more that could be done to help
this horse. He was still unable to rise without great difficulty, and his colic
episodes were frequent. An enterolith was suspected. Upon new ownership, the
phenylbutazone was stopped, as he had been on it for many months. He continued
joint supplements, and Adequan, but they did not seem to help him. He was moved
to a turnout area where he could move at will, and this helped a little.
"Silk" was finally put on NitrOxide. The human formula "Hemoxide"
had benefited the owner greatly with arthritis of the back, and wanted to try it
on the horse. "Silk" was given 45cc powder two times daily for a month. Then
backed down to one time per day. After 3 days on the NitrOxide, "Silk" was able
to rise almost like a normal horse, and did not have to "walk it out" to get the
stiffness out of his body. After 30 days on NitrOxide, The horse was
consistently much more comfortable than he had been in months, and his colicking
episodes had stopped. He became the pride and joy of the owner’s 3 year old
little girl. She rides him with only a halter and lead rope, and he happily lets
her lead him all over the property. He has become a million dollar/ $1 horse.
"Silk" remained on maintenance doses of the NitrOxide for 2 more months and was
then weaned off of it. When he had appeared to be stiff and uncomfortable again,
he was immediately put back on the NitrOxide, with excellent results every time.
He has had zero colic symptoms in the 3 years since he first began the
NitrOxide. Veterinarians suspect that he possibly had gastric ulcers that were
causing his frequent pains. Nitric Oxide has been proven to heal gastric ulcers. He and and his owner Hannah just went into their
first horseshow, leadline, and won a blue ribbon.
NitrOxide™
2 lb. Tub
(30 day supply): $169.90
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