Neubee’s x-rays were inconclusive or “non remarkable”. My vet, Dr. Toews, sent them for second opinion to Dr. Durham, DVM,  Phd in equine sports medicine.  His opinion was the same for X-rays so a consult was scheduled to do ultra-sound to check soft tissue.

Neubee was still dragging his feet, not wanting to move. Before the flexion exam he began palpating his spine. Poor Neubee was so sore on his right side and most notable in his right sacrum but all along his thoracic spine and slightly at the base of his withers. He was positive on flexion exam (lame) in both hinds and slightly in one front. Dr. Durham thought his back pain was likely secondary to his hind end lameness, which seemed more to be hock related.

So… his back was injected from the sacrum to the base of his withers.  Muscles that attach to the pelvis, such as the psoas are so deep withing the body, the needle and catheter used had to be at least 6 inches maybe 8.  The plan was 3 days rest, then riding under saddle encouraging a swinging active walk and exercises that worked the joint’s full range of motion. If he still drags his feet, then more injections.

What is interesting to me, I have begun to deliberately drag my feet in the last 4 or so years in response to my own lower back muscular pain.  I am even now beginning to have some trouble with my balance on my feet when my pain level is high.  It’s like Dr. Durham said, “It’s all connected.”. And we just started with the most painful part.  His back.