We figured we would share with you some up dated pictures of Madeline. Some of you on the Azbackcountry Fund Raiser ride noticed she was having a sticking stifle problem on her rear leg. Primarily it was one leg that would be worse then the other, but then both could stick and would cause her to drag the leg in a mosey walk. But would not be present at all at a trot or run as then she would move just normal.
The cause is a growth problem, where the ligaments in the legs and the body are not meshing together during growth. Not all miniatures will get this, but some can if there ligaments in their rear legs do not shrink properly as they grow. It's not hereditary but is common on extremely straight conformation which can bring on the problem if the ligaments and bones do not mesh during growth. Most cases in time and with exercise of the ligaments it will go away on its own, and sometimes it needs extra help.
On Monday March 15th our Vet Dr. Laura Harris came out to visit with Madeline to re-evaluate her movement with the sticking stifle on particularly the one rear leg. At that time she gave Madeline what she called "Donkey Quiet Juice" and sedated her so she could inject an iodine and almond oil solution into (3) ligament areas on both rear legs. So total she got 6 injections. She opted to do both rear legs as the popping sound is present on both rear legs. The popping sound can occur around 10 months if the ligaments and bone joints are showing signs of catching problems. Catching problems is when the ligaments catch on the leg bone as it moves, and this is what was makes a popping sound as they walk on the rear legs. If the ligament catches and does not release then the stifle joint in the leg can lock and remain locked then they drag the foot along in a stiff position instead of picking it up. You can get them to release the stifle by backing them up, but sometimes the next step they take it may lock again. It can continue to do this for several months, but they do not want it to lock and stay locked as then damage can occur. In Madeline's case, it was getting more common to see it locked then unlocked.
This idodine/almond oil solution causes a burning sensation in the legs for about 2 to 3 days, it stings like heck and scars the ligaments to shrink down around the bone joints. It can take several times to do this over a period of time. In Madeline's case, she may have to go another round in May, and maybe again in July.........They usually do not start any of this treatment until they are closer to age 2 to 2 1/2 as they can usally out grow this on their own, but if they start locking in the stifle, it can cause more problems and is why at 17 months Dr. Harris is starting early treatment on Madeline. If by the time Madeline reaches 2 years she is still having problems with the ligaments properly fitting around the leg joint - then she will have to undergo surgery to actually cut the ligament down so it no longer interferes. Laura is hopping with the early treatment of idodine/almond injections into the ligaments that the shrinking of the ligaments will occur without the need of the surgery. If the injection treatments do not cure the problem in full then Madeline will have to have surgery to permantely address the problem.....that is a last resort as far as Laura is concerned at this time as Madeline has several more months to out grow this under her care with the iodine injection treatments.
So............For those of you who may see her with us camping I have posted pictures for you of her. You may from time to time see her in this contraption that Laura has come up with for treatment in between her injection treatments. It helps to force Madeline to pick up her rear leg, as she walks along. It's a miniature horse surcingle, and elastic band with thumb clips on both ends (like the type on a dog leash), then clipped from the surcingle down to her single hobble. As she walks it makes her pick up the one leg which was the one that would lock stiff. Also on both legs are single leg straps that have chain weights on them to help to force her to pick up the legs as she walks, trots and runs with weights. She goes for her walks every day in this and spends lots of time in her turn out with it on as she grazes around............She will have to be in and out of this for several months while she is in the iodine injection treatment program.........or until she shows more signs that the ligaments are shrinking enough to no longer interfere with her movement on the rear legs.
I can tell you she is an awesome patient for the vet. Laura says she has met lots of donkeys, and has one of her own, but has not come across a donkey so people oriented like Madeline is .......She said the time Susan and us have put into Madeline on ground manners makes her an easy patient to work with when it comes to times having to be under vet care. She is a well cared for little donkey and hopefully her treatment pictures will help those of you with questions when you see her the next several months to understand what she is going through right now while she grows......
Ms. Madeline overall is doing very well, and is her normal playful self. She just spent a week in Skull Valley Arizona with her big brother mules camping on a week long catered ride. She had loads of loves from 140 plus people who were there on the ride. She just needs a little extra help right now, but is doing just fine.
Till next time.........
David and Linda
AN AzBCR MEMBER SAYS:
She is one lucky girl to have you as 'parents'
MY RESPONSE:
AMEN! I am so thankful that Linda keeps me updated and she was quick to assure me that it was not hereditary as that had me understandably quite worried... I am so sorry that our little girl has to go through this (and Dave and Linda too!!) but very grateful that Madeline has such great human parents! I feel confident that Dave and Linda are going above and beyond to make sure that Madeline gets the best care and treatment there is!
And wow, what a contraption!!
Kisses for my grand-donkey and hugs to her parents!!!
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