Symptoms of Kissing Spine? And how can it be treated?

Symptoms of Kissing Spine, how to recognize?

Kissing Spine symptoms are often overlooked, undertreated and misunderstood. These are often confused with bad behavior.

Detecting Kissing Spine symptoms comes in 2 forms:

• Behavioral Kissing Spine Symptoms (that you may notice yourself)
• Clinical Kissing Spine Symptoms and Detection

Behavioral Kissing Spine Symptoms?

Horses with this condition can exhibit a range of symptoms, ranging from being asymptomatic, that is, showing no abnormal signs, to a horse that is unrideable, may buck, refuses to be saddled and/or has behavioral problems, even on the ground.

Signs of discomfort such as:

• Weight shifting, biting, bucking
• Showing discomfort when putting on the saddle or girth
• Difficulty changing gait (often at a gallop)
• Changes in temperament
• Difficulty taking off
• Possible loss of muscle mass in the top line

It is important to note that some horses with established Kissing Spine symptoms on radiographs do not show discomfort or the above signs.

The question is not so much understanding horses that are clearly more affected; instead, it concerns the asymptomatic horses. The radiographic changes did not occur overnight and there are certainly horses that have worked regularly during this time and were able to jump, dressage and/or ride western pleasure, while the radiographs would have looked abnormal. have looked.

Clinical Symptoms and Detection of Kissing Spine?

X-rays

Diagnosing Kissing Spine in horses can be a simple process in some cases; in other cases it is a matter of exclusion. The history and clinical signs are particularly useful to the veterinarian. After this, X-rays are the first line of defense. Digital X-rays allow us to take X-rays of a horse's back in minutes and clearly see if any problems are present, as shown in the image below:

Ultrasound

Sometimes ultrasound is also used. When considering Kissing Spine symptoms, it has traditionally been considered an excellent modality to assess soft tissues, but it is exceptionally useful when viewing bone surfaces. While X-rays penetrate bones and show the edges and interior of bones, ultrasound shows much detailed information about the bone surface and the soft tissues attached to it. What in some cases cannot be appreciated without ultrasound is back pain from the ligament that runs over the spine and inserts into these DSPs (Dorsal Spinal Processes), nor the ligaments that are between the bones.

Thermography

Thermography is also used by me in cases where I want to evaluate heat output, which can correlate with inflammation. If Kissing Spine symptoms are suspected, you can visualize areas of the back, legs and even saddle fits using a thermal camera. The more intensely red or white areas correlate with inflammation. The next two photos show a more normal spine on the left compared to the one on the right with more inflammation in the saddle (thoracic) area and over the hips (sacroiliac) areas.

Nuclear Scan

In cases where there are more questions about the involvement of the back versus other areas, a nuclear scan may be performed. These procedures are performed in referral hospitals. The advantage is that, like thermography, they are dynamic studies and show problems in real time, unlike static studies such as x-rays or ultrasound which show what is currently there but are not necessarily associated with inflammation.

How to Treat Kissing Spine Symptoms?

My horse is behaving badly and I can't figure out why. I'm afraid the vet will say it's kissing spine disease, and I don't want to think about surgery. What can I do? Here are also 2 ways to treat it:

• Individual & Preventing Kissing Spine Symptoms
• Veterinarian treatment for Kissing Spine disease

Sometimes even an adjustment in equipment can prevent major vet bills. Whether the cause is poor saddle fit, training that isn't perfect, or riding that isn't perfect, we know for sure that the comfort of the horse's back must be addressed as quickly and simply as possible. Both pre- and post-operative horses find relief in the therapeutic half pads from ThinLine.

Individual and prevention of symptoms of Kissing Spine

If you're starting to suspect that your horse's unhappy behavior may be related to pain, which is generally the case, we've listed the simplest methods for you to check off before considering more drastic treatments.

• Alternative treatment methods
• Training and physiotherapy
• Saddle changes can prevent major veterinary costs.
• Saddle fitting solutions
• Equine rehabilitation and training

Read more about these different methods in our article we wrote and how you can evaluate yourself via the button below.

Veterinary Treatment for Kissing Spine Disease

As expected, treatments can vary. However, the most important concept is that regardless of the treatment, physical therapy is even more important for a successful outcome. What I mean by this is that the short term and even longer term treatments can help manage the pain, but without introducing adjustments to riding, training and/or tack the problem may persist and the horse continue to influence.

Injections

In general, I have found that treating the affected areas with injections, using a combination of corticosteroids and Sarapin, has proven beneficial. In most cases this will be my first treatment and is often done at the same time as x-rays are taken once the diagnosis is final.

Shockwave Therapy (SWT)

Over the years I have treated countless horses with Shockwave Therapy (SWT) and I have also found this to be effective; in fact, for some horses the benefits are about the same as with injections. SWT is also beneficial as a management tool, i.e. treatment periodically and/or shortly before competitions can reduce the discomfort associated with this chronic condition.

Laser treatments

In some acute cases I have effectively used a laser to treat focal areas of inflammation. Laser treatments can treat inflammation of the bone, soft tissues and nerves.

Tildren

Tildren is the newest drug I would add to my list. Most of the research with this drug has been done in Europe and it has proven benefits for horses with symptoms of kissing spine. The essential mechanism is that it reduces the bone destruction process of bone inflammation and “activates” the bone cells that help repair damaged bone. What is unique about this medication is that it is not intended to mask pain, but to improve damaged bone, which interrupts the destructive process and improves long-term comfort. I currently import it from France with a special permit and have used it successfully in numerous cases. Although somewhat expensive, the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages. The horse below with kissing spines that was reluctant to move forward comfortably, refused to take jumps and could not gather properly was treated with Tildren. After treatment he improved significantly and the results lasted longer than when local injections alone were used.

Learn more about Kissing Spine symptoms from a top vet!

By Randy Frantz of Burlington Equine Veterinary Services, LLC, Vermont Dorsal Spinous Process (DSP) obstruction or “Kissing Spines” is a condition recognized as a significant problem for horses. What exactly the problem entails is subject to debate and making a definitive diagnosis can be a difficult process. The part of the vertebrae we are interested in is the vertical part that projects upward and should be evenly distributed with respect to the adjacent process. The following image shows two dorsal spinous processes with the correct proportion. To understand the correct relationship between the vertebrae in the back, an X-ray is the easiest way to see how the bones fit in relation to each other. The following image is a combined dorsal radiograph of a horse with normal spacing. The left side of the image starts at the withers and moves down the back to the right, showing the lower part of the back. The high, vertical DSPs that form the withers are narrow and long, but usually not involved Kissing Spine Disease; instead, the condition is usually located in the group of vertebrae behind this area – the thoracic vertebrae, in the area where the rider sits. As you can see, the spacing between the DSPs is even and there is no significant bone reaction.

The Radiographers

The next picture is of an abnormal radiograph which clearly depicts kissing spines. As you can see the finger like spinous processes are either touching the adjacent process and in some cases actually overlapping.

Clinical Signs of Kissing Spine Disease

Horses with this condition can exhibit a range of symptoms, ranging from being asymptomatic, that is, showing no abnormal symptoms, to a horse that is unrideable, may rear up, refuses to be saddled and/or has behavioral problems, even on the ground. The question is not so much understanding the obviously affected horse; rather, it is the asymptomatic horses. The radiographic changes did not occur overnight, and there have certainly been horses that have worked regularly during this time and were able to jump, be used for dressage and/or western pleasure, while the radiographs are looked abnormal. Something has to change before the problem becomes apparent, and something has to change again if the problem is to be brought under control. I have heard several complaints from riders and trainers over the years regarding this condition, the most common of which relates to behavioral and training problems. In general, the horses may not be obviously lame, but may exhibit avoidance behavior that affects their work, such as refusing to accept contact with the bit. Preference to have their heads up and their backs lowered (not rounded), unwilling to bend to one side or the other, not consistently picking up the right canter, feeling disconnected or possibly over-cantering. Obviously these symptoms can be related to a number of issues such as stomach ulcers, Lyme disease, equipment, training, rider to name a few. ThinLine works with veterinarians to improve the comfort of horses and promote recovery from back problems, including kissing spine.

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