Diary of DJD
by
Cris Gardner
Over
the last year we have brought you a series of articles
documenting the thoughts and experiences of a concerned
horse owner as she dealt with the treatment of a DJD
afflicted horse
DJD - Update 2002 is the last in the series of articles. We
hope that you have found the articles to be informative.
We extend our thanks to Cris for taking the time and effort
to keep us informed and wish both she and SFax a happy and
healthy 2002.
PART IV - 2002 Update
3/27/02
Dear Diary:
So happy to be writing in you again - it's been over a year
now that Shadow Fax was first diagnosed with DJD - and I'm
so happy to tell you that "WE ARE STILL HERE" - and I think
- maintaining!
As Shadow Fax is now 19 years old, I think maintaining is
great!!!
This is confirmed not only by hopeful me, but by my farrier,
Scott, and vet, Patrick as well! I am keeping my fingers
crossed that this will be the prognosis for years to come!
When Shadow Fax got his latest shot for maintenance on
February 28, 2002, Patrick and I decided to try something
new: a generic shot of Adequan! Before the decision was made
to try it, of course Patrick checked and double checked the
generic Adequan shot with every single other vet that he
knows - he knows Shadow Fax is very special and important to
me, and that the price difference of $38 a shot would not
make me want to try it unless it was judged equal in effect
by the medical profession - all his feedback was positive,
so we did the generic version on Shadow Fax's latest shot!
So far - so good!
As a matter of fact - one of my barn buddies told me, that
last week when she happened to watch the horses being let
into the field from their stalls - they were all running at
a full gallop - and Shadow Fax was in the lead in front of 5
and 6 year old horses!
Dear Dairy - it doesn't get better than that, does it? I'm
keeping my fingers crossed, that all I have to write in you
is this kind of positive news!
It's been a long winter, so I haven't been able to ride as
much as I would like to - as spring is approaching,
hopefully Shadow Fax's and my riding time together
will increase - and hopefully I will see the same
maintenance of his abilities carrying through when he has me
on his back as well!
Keeping my fingers crossed........
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