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Discussion on Swelling in throatlatch area
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 11:38 am:
Hello Dr.O.,
I have a 12yr. old paint gelding whom is in regular work (dressage) and has always been very healthy. 5 days ago he presented with some swelling in the throatlatch area. A vertical patch about the size of one's hand directly behind the jaw. There is no fever, NO nasal discharge (except the normal small amt. of clear fluid) no change in diet or appetite, no other swelling on his body, no obvious change in respiration. I have worked him as usual watching very carefully for any signs of discomfort and he feels great. I called Vet...they said to watch for the obvious..nasal discharge, appetite, fever...they have all remained normal. The swelling seemed to get a little better over the course of a few days...and then back to the original "quite" swollen yesterday. It is more on the left...but also present on the right side. No bug bites that I can find. Does not seem painful with palpation.
I read you articles on swellings in the horse and was drawn to the "GPT"...Guttural Pouch Tympany one. Your diagram seems to be spot on as to the location and description of his swelling.
I did call my vet again and want him seen...might be a few days. I have not given him any medications..as I don't know what I am treating! Was looking for any thoughts or insight from you.
Thanks so much.
K.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 12:55 pm:
How about having the horse's teeth checked?
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 9:34 pm:
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for your thoughts. His teeth were done by a dentist in early April. (typically seen 2x annually) I did palpate along his gum lines and smelled in his mouth for anything foul finding nothing.
Thanks again
IKE
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007 - 6:01 am:
Hello Ike,
What is the swelling feel like?
DrO
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007 - 8:56 am:
Hi Dr.O,
The swelling feels light to medium in density. It is not hard, nor does it feel very loose like fluid inside. There is no heat.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 - 6:35 am:
There are a lot reasons the parotid area swells and your post really does not differentiate them. Most are mild inflammations of the lymph system and transient. Typically a BPT will have a thick walled ballon feel about it. Does the swelling pit when you press in on it and then when your remove pressure remain pitted for a few seconds or more?
DrO
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 - 9:36 pm:
Hi Dr.O,
The swelling does not seem to pit at all...bounces back rapidly.
The Vet came and said that it is likely he has some Allergy related swelling in the Lymph nodes. He put him on Tri-Hist and it has helped with the swelling. He offered to do an allergy panel, which I seriously considered...mostly out of curiosity...but decided not to as he will be moving a a few weeks and his environment will change, he is (and will be) at a very well maintained facility. I think most of the things that might be causing this irritation might be either seasonal...or things that I likely don't have much control over. If the results came back that he was allergic to Norweigan Spruce (for example...) I don't think my request to have all of them removed from the property would go over too well...
Thanks for your help!
IKE
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Oct 12, 2007 - 5:38 pm:
Tri-Hist (if it still contains pyrilamine) is kind of a low efficacy anti-histimine if it is believed to be a histimine reaction and does not continue to improve there are more potent ones see, Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Hives, Wheals, and Urticaria in Horses.
DrO
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Member:
kriseyc
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Posted on Friday, Oct 12, 2007 - 10:58 pm:
Thanks for the advice (Horse-advice), Dr.O, about more potent histamine's. At the moment it seems to be doing the trick. The swelling is almost imperceptible. He will be on it until for 1 week and I'll see what happens then.
Much appreciated.
IKE
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