Case Studies

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Case Study: Why Measuring Lameness is Helpful Even in the “Obvious” Cases

By Laurie Tyrrell-Schroeder, DVM | Updated on December 20, 2021 | LT Schroeder, OES Members Only

I know a few veterinarians who reserve their use of The Q for only the difficult cases, thinking “I don’t need the system when the horse is 3/5”. There are several reasons I encourage those who use it this way to reconsider this mindset. First, by using the system on every case, you will become a much more efficient and proficient user. Like any skill, being able to rapidly interpret and then assimilate the information received from the Q to the clinical picture requires practice. Understanding and applying the information on the “easy” cases will make the complicated ones easier...

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Case Study: Avoiding a Common Pitfall in the Evaluation of Diagnostic Analgesia in a Mild Lameness Case

By Kevin G. Keegan, DVM, MS, DACVS | Updated on September 14, 2021 | Diagnostic Blocks, KG Keegan, OES Members Only

Signalment and history A 17-year-old Quarter Horse gelding presented for evaluation of left hindlimb lameness of 8–10-week duration. He was diagnosed with a keratoma in the left front foot one year ago which does not seem to bother him. Physical Examination The horse stood with the left hindlimb slightly externally rotated. There was sensitivity on palpation of the lateral condyle of the femur in the left hindlimb. No stifle effusion was noted. There was palpable evidence of bone spavin on the dorsal medial surface of the left hock, but the Churchill test was negative. Picking up the left...

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Case Study: Dealing with Diagnostic Blocking Conundrums

By Laurie Tyrrell-Schroeder, DVM | Updated on December 08, 2020 | Blocking, L Meehan, LT Schroeder

Case contributed by Lucy Meehan, BVSc, MSc, CertAVP(VDI), DipECVDI, MRCVS of Langford Vets University of Bristol This case illustrates two conundrums faced when working up a lameness – partial improvements from diagnostic analgesia (and the decision of when to stop) and when the lameness gets worse before it gets better. Signalment 5-year-old WB gelding used for eventing. History Recent LF lameness. Physical Exam and subjective lameness evaluation findings Mild wastage of the left suprascapular muscle. Upright, boxy front feet (left>right). 2/10 left forelimb lameness on straight line. 3/10 LF lameness lunging to the right. Baseline Objective Evaluation...

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Case Study: Primary and Compensatory Lameness

By Clara McShannon, MRCVS, ECP | Updated on July 30, 2019 | Blocking, C McShannon, Case Study, Certified Practitioner, Compensatory Lameness, Primary

Signalment: An 8-year-old Welsh-X Gelding mainly used for hunting and fun-rides History: The patient was presented for veterinary evaluation of a LH lameness after a 2-4 week history of progressive lameness. At this point the patient was managed with uncontrolled field turnout. Prior Veterinary/Non-Veterinary Evaluation History Previous examinations were performed by the farrier and two chiropractors/massage therapists. The farrier examination was unremarkable. The two other examinations described the issue to be related to back pain and the pelvis being “out”. This was reportedly corrected, and rest was advised for the residual back pain. Veterinary evaluation revealed a severe...

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