Julian
Julian was rescued in April 2026 to prevent him from entering the slaughter pipeline. He’s a senior gelding with arthritic joints, especially prevalent in his forelegs.
His teeth are also lacking in dental care and molars are very worn down. He’s a sweet boy who was clearly used heavily in his life.
Julian’s veterinary evaluation and assessment included Xrays and other diagnostics to determine specific and overall medical issues as well as quality of life prognosis.
Xray views of the left carpus showed that the radiocarpal joint, which is the highest motion carpal joint and therefore the most prone to pain and inflammatory changes, is severely affected by global osteoarthritic remodeling, both proliferative and resorptive. These changes extend caudally into encasing the articulation with the accessory carpal bone. Most changes are seen medially on the radiocarpal joint in the DV view, with possible dissecting lesions and bridging lesions.
Both left and right carpi (knees) are enlarged visually and palpate both soft and bony changes. The left carpus is more severely affected with 3 out of 3 positive flexion. The left foreleg is unable to extend completely and bear weight comfortably, putting a lot of weight and wear and tear on the right forelimb. Carpal swelling is mostly medial and dorsal and palpates mostly soft.
Julian’s body condition score is 3 out of 9. Both lateral and medial canthi (eyes) indicate early squamous cell carcinoma changes, possibly as a result from high altitude UV exposure or genetic causes.
It was ultimately decided that Julian’s quality of life could not be improved due to damaged and very painful joints from past injury/trauma and the development of cancer in his eyes. He was humanely euthanized to stop further suffering which he had endured for years.
More About Julian
- In Assessment
- Chestnut
- Gelding
- 1999
- QH/ TB
- Colorado