Tag Archives: Laser Therapy

Laser Time

A little over a year ago Chance was diagnosed and treated for a lesion on the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT) of his hind fetlock.  At the time, I decided to go with Stem Cell injections due to it being the least invasive treatment option.  The Stem  Cells worked wonders and Chance went from barely being able to walk to running up hills, from daily pain medications to a supplement (DuraLactin) to help with pain and inflammation) for arthritis.

A few months ago I wanted to see how Chance’s fetlock was holding up.  He did not have any symptoms- no swelling, lameness, etc- but I wanted to make sure.  The ultrasound revealed that he did still have a small lesion on his DDFT that the vet felt was “congenital” and not problematic.  But due to his history I wanted to ensure that it stayed non-problematic.  I invested in some protective and supportive hind boots for hi to wear when he is outside or stall bound due to weather and decided to do a round (about 5 sessions) of laser treatments on his hind leg.  The laser treatments are relatively inexpensive (about $65.00), non-invasive, and pretty much risk free.

We are coming up on our 3rd treatment and due to Chance being asymptomatic it is hard to tell if they are beneficial until we do another ultrasound.  Once an ultrasound is completed I will post more.

Article on Stem Cell Treatments:  http://www.rossdales.com/news/new-stem-cell-trial-to-treat-deep-digital-flexor-tendon-injury.htm

Articles on Laser Treatments: Research Laser Therapy

 

100% Turn Around!

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Spoke with Vet4 today. He said Chance has made a “100% turn around”. He trotted him today and Chance was putting full weight on both hind feet! Swelling is disappearing as well!

We spoke about further treatments aside from the Baytril.

I asked about potassium penicillin- He is apprehensive to do potassium penicillin due to horses on antibiotics having DNA changing effects. That it is best to stick to the Baytril and do an ultrasound tomorrow (Friday) to view any changes to the masses. He suggests to have Baytril on hand when Chance leaves to begin immediately if swelling occurs again, which he believes will not be the case after this hospitalization.

I asked about Hydraulic acid: He also is hesitant to inject the SS with the Hydraulic acid due to it’s effects on certain bacterial strains- often allowing the bacteria to hide from the antibiotics. He does agree that another round of injections would probably be helpful and will know more after the next ultrasound.

When asked whether scratches can lead to Lymphangitis, thus leading to the infected SS, he said it is hard to tell but certainly possible.

Chance is currently receiving laser therapy and cold compression therapy along with Baytril, pain meds, and supplements.

Vet4 believes that Chance should be able to leave within a week to two weeks depending on progress!