For Pete's Sake! Petey Recovering from Surgery

Petey is a Premarin (PMU) rescue foal who came to Ray of Light in November of 2009. Arriving to the farm when he was only about 4 months old, he may be the youngest Premarin baby we've cared for yet. Petey was weaned dangerously early, and was not fully ready to eat solid foods when he joined us. We had to teach him to eat grains by washing fortified grain slurry into his mouth. We kept a close eye on Petey's development, trying to maintain just the right growth rate--not too fast and not too slow. Watching Petey thrive has given us great pleasure and pride.

As with other PMU's, Petey's exact breeding is not known, but it is clear from his build that he has some draft blood in him. Petey will be a big horse when he is grown! We know that in large breeds like his, overly rapid growth can lead to problems in joint formation, so we were careful to monitor his nutrition carefully. Diet is only one of the known factors that can cause joint growth abnormality. Heredity also plays a role, and breeding for increased size (which has been common in the PMU industry) has been associated with genetic component of developmental joint disorders. There are other factors that can contribute, including trauma and exercise or hormonal imbalances. For whatever reasons, and despite our efforts to prevent it, Petey developed OCD in both hocks.

OCD, or Osteochondritis dissecans, is a developmental joint disorder associated with a disturbance in the formation of joint cartilage and the bone supporting it. Instead of a smooth surface where two bones meet in a joint, irregularities and weak areas develop in the cartilage and bone. Force on the joint as the horse exercises and moves leads to further damage, sometimes leading to decreased blood flow to the area, which then results in localized cell death that causes erosion around the affected area. Parts of bone can flake away, and sometimes become completely detached and free-floating in the joint. The bone shards and flaps rub against normal cartilage and bone and can cause further damage, swelling, and pain in the joint.

 

 

Poor Petey!

In late November, Petey had surgery to remove the bone irregularities from his hocks. He was trailored up to the New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center in Dover, New Hampshire for the operation. After three days in the hospital, he was moved back to Ray of Light. After several weeks of rest, and then more weeks of hand-walking and conditioning, Petey has fully recovered from his late November operation. He is once again playful, sound, and growing tall. His prognosis for a full recovery is very good and his spirits remain high.