January 4th, 2015 Definite improvement.
Wedge pad was added to left front on 12/23/14. First two videos are Dec 28th, third video is Dec 27th.
Pyro's Surgery June 24, 2013 and subsequent recovery journey
Pyro was not progressing as hoped after the alcohol injection, so we finally decided to take further action. It was decided to perform a neurectomy and insert 3 screws across the pastern joint. So, on June 23, we hauled Pyro to new Bolton. He was admitted into stall #31 and settled in nicely. (Single click photos to view full photo)
June 24 -- Surgery Day
Surgery went well and Dr. Levine was pleased with the results.
Surgery went well and Dr. Levine was pleased with the results.
June 25th -- Our first Visit After Surgery
We got to visit Pyro today, the day after his surgery. He looked great and came right over to greet us. It was mid afternoon and apparently nap time. After some loving and figuring out that I did not have treats, he got grumpy. Made me feel even better because that's so normal for him. Got to see his x-rays with the screw locations. Good news is that the screws were able to align two bones at one joint better than expected. Downside is that the flexibility in the joint was because it wasn't fused as well as we believed, which means the cast needs to stay on longer for support until it does fuse. So, instead of about 3 weeks we're probably talking 8-10 weeks.
We got to visit Pyro today, the day after his surgery. He looked great and came right over to greet us. It was mid afternoon and apparently nap time. After some loving and figuring out that I did not have treats, he got grumpy. Made me feel even better because that's so normal for him. Got to see his x-rays with the screw locations. Good news is that the screws were able to align two bones at one joint better than expected. Downside is that the flexibility in the joint was because it wasn't fused as well as we believed, which means the cast needs to stay on longer for support until it does fuse. So, instead of about 3 weeks we're probably talking 8-10 weeks.
June 26th (Thursday)-- Pyro transferred to the layup barn which is just 5 minutes from New Bolton. The report I got from the owner, Nicky, was "Just took him home
June 27th (Friday) -- Report from Nicky: "Doing great, don't even know he's here. Just a lovely boy."
June 28th (Saturday): Yay! We got to visit Pyro. He looked great. I loved on him for quite a while. And, of course, he got treats although he thought his Dad should have been able to get them open quicker.
July 1st (Tuesday): Update "he is doing great, eating well of course and wearing the cast really well so far".
July 5th -- Our Second Visit to Lay-up Barn
Pyro is still wearing his cast well and reportedly a very good boy. Of course, he's in stall#1 which puts him closest to the feed room and means he gets fed first. That's a great way to keep him calm....ha! Pics below are from this visit.
Pyro is still wearing his cast well and reportedly a very good boy. Of course, he's in stall#1 which puts him closest to the feed room and means he gets fed first. That's a great way to keep him calm....ha! Pics below are from this visit.
July 9th: Pyro started to get a cast sore so Nicky hauled him to New Bolton for a new cast. Apparently he was not well behaved for the new cast application, so we'll have to see how long it lasts. It was later in the day so he's staying overnight.
July 10th: Pyro is back "home" to the layup barn and reportedly walking well.
July 12th_ Third visit to Layup Barn: Pyro had a special visitor today as Lisa rode along with me for his visit. He's sporting his new cast although doesn't seem to like it as he stomps his foot from time to time. He got a good rubdown and we found some more spots where he really appreciate the scratching and massaging. Also took the next two Get Well cards that he received from his Grandmother for him to read.
Found out he got a bath before going for the cast change, and apparently he entertains during his grooming. They've found out how much he likes his belly rubbed, and the faces that accompany those rubs to let them know it's enjoyed.
Found out he got a bath before going for the cast change, and apparently he entertains during his grooming. They've found out how much he likes his belly rubbed, and the faces that accompany those rubs to let them know it's enjoyed.
July 19th: Fourth visit to layup barn -- Pyro is still looking good and hanging in there with his second cast. Lisa sent a new massage tool along and he loved it. Of course reading cards from Grandmom is always fun, too! Plus, can't beat those treats.
July 24, 2014: Fifth visit to layup barn with a special visitor. Pyro's buddy, Abbey, went along to visit him today. He got some good rubbing from her plus the all important treats! She also read him the latest card from "Grandmom". He's still looking good. He's was very happy to see Abbey!
August 2, 2014 -- Visit #6 to layup barn: Pyro's still looking good and maintaining the cast. Maybe he'll actually make itwith this cast to his scheduled appointment on August 6. Rub-down, hugs, treats, hay,beverage --- what more could a guy ask for?
August 9, 2014 -- Visit #7 to layup barn. This week Pyro had new x-rays and things look good, so he graduated from a cast to splints and bandage! The next step in the recovery journey. Everyone was very pleased with how well he walked without the cast. Hoping that's a good sign.
August 13, 2014 Visit to Layup barn: Pyro had two special visitors today. Abbey and Lena (visiting from Germany). He got dueling massages and loved every minute as you can tell by his expression.
August 16, 2014: Ninth visit to layup barn: Pyro continues to do well with his splinted and bandaged leg. The splint in back of the leg is actually made from cast material and formed against his leg, plus it goes under his foot for support. There is a second split, made from a different material, that molds to his leg in the front. He's reportedly still behaving and is now in an end stall which gives him more to look at ---- which satisfies his curiosity streak. He's a very nosy guy. He's holding his weight well and looks good.
August 25th, 2014: Tenth Visit to layup barn
August 30, 2014: Eleventh Visit to Layup Barn
September 6, 2014: Twelfth Visit to Layup Barn
September 13, 2014: Thirteenth Visit to Layup Barn Pyro had a visit from his surgeon, Dr. Levine, on Thursday. He was very pleased with Pyro;s movements. New x-rays next Thursday. If all looks good, Pyro may be able to start some walking.
October 24th - Visit to Layup barn. Yes, there were more visits betyween my last post and this one, but I just haven't had time to get the pictures upload. Now that it is a bit cooler out, baths are no longer practical, so he's been getting vacuumed most days, and reportedly loving it! Guess I'll have to put one on his Christmas list for when he comes home. We visited in the afternoon this time and he was busy eating hay. He actually paid little attention to us until I got out the treats.
Previous Medical Info
Pyro's Surgery: Pyro arrived at New Bolton on Wednesday, Jan 29th. He got checked in and had xrays and an ultrasound. The findings indicated that he has more issue than just the osteoarthritis in his pastern, and therefore the surgery planned may not have eliminated all of his pain. Therefore an alternate plan was established. He had an injection of ethyl alcohol in the pastern joint. The end goal is the same -- fuse the pastern joint. But this method, "facilitated ankylosis" consists of injecting the alcohol to burn away the cartilage and then let the body fuse the two bones on its own. He came home Sunday, Feb 2 with reports from the vet, nurse and volunteer that he was a very good patient. He's now on stall rest for at least 2 weeks. After 4 weeks, new xrays will be taken and next step determined.
October 5, 2013: In-hand obstacle class
July 6, 2013
Walking 4/14/13 (off meds for 1 week):
Walking 4/7/13:
3/28/13: New Trim and Eggbar Wedge Shoes (single click photo to enlarge)
Photos below taken 3-28-13: "Before" today's trim. last trim 6 weeks, 3 days. Shoe on right foot came off 2 days ago
Photos taken 2-3-13
Pyro Walking 2/1/13: This is after 10 doses of Equioxx. The ring he is walking on is very frozen and hard (not leaving hoof or foot prints). He did so well when I was crossing the ring bringing him in from the field that I had this video taken quick. Starting to get dark but I think you can see how he's doing. Looks very improved. He definitely likes the flatter, more solid surfaces. Field is very choppy and frozen and he had a lot of trouble there, but again, even I have trouble walking on that type of surface. (CLick lower right corner of video to make it full screen)