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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Topics on Swellings Not Covered Above » |
Discussion on Odd swollen 'ridge' on belly | |
Author | Message |
Member: twadwis |
Posted on Saturday, Dec 6, 2008 - 10:00 pm: A quarter horse gelding in his late teens has an odd ridge like line (like a cord) that runs along the side of his belly and ends near the front of his sheath. It is about 8 inches long and visible, does not feel warm or swollen but he objects to having it handled. It showed up at the same time he needed sheath cleaning by a vet. The owner noticed him tail swishing, kicking up at his belly and a swollen sheath and we were able to feel a large egg shaped lump in the tissue in one side of the sheath. The vet felt the problems were all related to needing a good cleaning (as a through exam showed every else normal) and now the swelling is almost gone as has the odd lump, just the ridge remains. Other than the behavior described he has been fine, eating, drinking and turned out with another gelding 24/7 with a run in shed. The owner has found out that the horse has a history of getting an 'irritated' sheath to the point of needing a vets care. But we are stumped about the ridge/line and why he is sensitive to the point of cow kicking. Is there a line of lymph nodes that runs through there? Sorry I can't describe this better, I'll ask the owner to take a photo. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 - 9:45 am: Hello twadwis,Sometimes it just takes a bit longer for the midline edema to go away after the fluid has collected there and often advise that as long as it is continuing to improve give it more time, particularly if a thorough exam does not turn up anything. DrO |
Member: twadwis |
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 - 2:44 pm: Update on the gelding.....swollen ridge remains and he is still crabby about being touched anywhere near the area. The sheath itself is only 'enlarged' near the opening but now you can actually see the egg shaped/sized lump on the side. We had thought it was getting smaller but not so. The lump is firm. He is eating and drinking normally, runs, bucks and plays but has moments where he seems distracted. Options being looked at are a blood draw to see if anything shows up there and/or a biopsy of the lump. We are in rural Wisconsin so try to get most things done 'in the field'. A trip to a clinic in the snow is to be avoided and another issue is this horse is a hoof rehab project and the question becomes if he has another chronic or serious problem will she want to continue.... |
Member: twadwis |
Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 6:44 pm: Another update.....blood drawn, all normal. Next step is DMSO 5 days because the edema is returning and he is stocking up in the rear. Will the DMSO help long term if he isn't moving around? He was happy playing around in the deep soft snow which is now hard packed and bumpy and painful for his recovering feet. How much risk is there for laminitis to return with DMSO ? |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 - 9:06 am: Hello twadwis,Since there is no diagnosis to the cause of the swelling it is hard to know if DMSO will help. Did the veterinarian biopsy the lump? DMSO should not be considered a cause of laminitis. DrO |
Member: twadwis |
Posted on Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 - 9:28 pm: Thanks DrO:Clarification, it's not DMDO but dexamethasone, now the laminitis question makes sense. So if that were going to be a problem when could one expect to see problems show up ? He in day 3 of 8cc IM. No the lump biopsy has not been done yet. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - 7:33 am: You will find information on dex, founder, and much more at Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Dexamethasone.DrO |