|
|
Discussion on Swollen Leg near hock
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
Horse4u
|
Posted on Tuesday, Feb 1, 2005 - 9:21 pm:
My horse has a swollen area on his right rear leg on the outside just under the hock. It started as a small lump and the vet drained it. It came back and it was bigger. The vet had us put DMSO on it for a month and also massage it twice a day. No change. At that point the vet did not want to do surgery, so he referred us to the hospital in Leesburg. Turns out it is a tumor and the biopsy came back negative for cancer. It doesn't seem to bother him, but it looks bad and what if it gets bigger? If it is removed it is in an awkward place and could cause problems, plus there is no guarantee that it won't come back in a month. At the present time, I am riding him, walking him and giving him bute. The vet said to get the leg moving to help with circulation. Any one else have this kind of problem? He seems a bit listless lately too, but I noticed tonight he was acting more like himself since he was chasing his pasture buddies away from "his" hay etc. I am frustrated since the vet bills etc have cost almost $1,000.00 and I still don't have a solution. What would you all do? Thanks!
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2005 - 7:12 am:
Vicki I am still uncertain what this tumor is. Though the biopsy was negative for cancer what was it positive for? What was the nature of the fluid? Below the hock on the outside of the cannon is not really an area I think of as anatomially of functionally awkward: what problem do they anticipate if removed other than possible recurrence?
DrO
|
Member:
Horse4u
|
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2005 - 8:42 pm:
After looking at your pictures of the hock, I would say the swelling is at the hock and the reason our local vet did not want to remove it was because he thought it was too close to the tendons and that it could cause problems, especially if there wasn't really any reason to remove it other than the fact that it looks bad. That's why he referred us to Leesburg. They ruled out cancer and said we could remove it, but it could come back as soon as a month.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Thursday, Feb 3, 2005 - 9:08 am:
What did Va Tech say the swelling was Vicki?
DrO
|
Member:
Horse4u
|
Posted on Friday, Feb 4, 2005 - 8:45 am:
They said the swelling was a tumor. Would it be reasonable to ask the doctor to send a written evaluation of their findings? He does not appear to be in any pain and since putting him on Bute he seems to be acting more like himself.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Friday, Feb 4, 2005 - 6:47 pm:
I see. A tumor is a pathological description meaning loosely "a swelling bigger than a nodule" and not a diagnosis. We need to know what this tumor is. Yes a written evaluation would be great.
DrO
|
|
|
