Am I doing the right thing?

Sadiemay

Sadiemay

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 September 2010
Messages
290
Location
Surrey
Visit site
My horse has had a large lump on her on her side (by girth area) for the last three weeks and the vet has been monitoring it. She thinks it’s a fatty lump (lipoma) as it has all the characteristics of such a growth but of course without a scan and biopsy there is no way we can know for sure what it is.

We spoke on the phone this morning and as we discussed at her last visit last week I have two options. One being leave it and just monitor it for changes, and if any occur investigate then. My horse is very well in herself and only a couple of months ago had full blood work done which came back fine and nothing untoward showed up. Or air on the side of caution and have the scan/biopsy done now.

Due to the nature of the biopsy procedure and the age of my horse (24 in April) they would prefer to do it at their equine hospital (25 miles away) and my horse would have to stay in for 24/48 hours afterwards to minimise infection at the wound site and for her to be on i.v antibiotics for that period, reason being she has Cushings and as a result her immune system is lower than is usual and therefore more risk of infection so they want to keep the area as sterile as possible following the biopsy/tissue extraction.

She is currently booked in to have the procedures in two weeks time with a 2 day stay afterwards. Obviously I can change my mind if I do it sooner rather than later and this is where I need some unbiased opinions.

The dilema I face is of whilst of course I want to have the procedure done as I am worried sick about the lump and what it “might”be, I am not sleeping properly and keep thinking the worst :( BUT I loathe to put her through the upheaval of transporting to the hospital, staying in strange surroundings with people prodding and poking her and the smell of “vets’”all around her. I only moved yards 4 months ago after her being at her old yard for 10 years and although she settled fine after a few days I just feel so guilty at the thought of putting her through a really stressfull couple of days away from home potentially for nothing (I hope!)

The plan is to do the scan and biopsy and then her come home after a day or two and then once the results are back we decide where to go from there. If its something that needs to be operated on, would it be something I would want to consider given her age? I guess I cross that bridge when it comes to it.

She is nearly 24 but sprightly and in very good health, her character is very easy going and she is not a stress head however I am having an argument with myself of is it fair to put a horse of nearly 24 through what I am desribing for something not critical at this stage. Only thing is If it turned out to be something bad and I had left it for a while before investigating I wouldn’t forgive myself.

Basically in a nutshell if she could have the procedures done at home I wouldn’t even think twice, but it’s the stress and upset she will feel at going to the equine hospital for a couple of days that is making me hesitant.

What would you do if you were me peeps? :confused:

Sorry for the looooooooong ramlbing post!

Sadiemay
 
I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this, but if she was mine I would not put her through it at her age and with her medical history.

Cushings causes enough stress chemical floating around the bloodstream and this will give her more. Has anyone warned you of the possibility that more stress will tip her into laminitis?

Personally, I would keep her at home and even if it proves to be malignant I would let it run its course until she is not comfortable and then have her quietly put to sleep at home.
 
Firstly, I have to say this, you know your girl better than anyone, and thus only you truly know how she'll react to certain situations, so at the end of the day only you can make the decision.

Now that that't out of the way, personally, I'd do it....yes it could be nothing (and I hope it is) but, if it were me and one of my boys, I'd want to know I'd done everything possible in order to make an informed decision should it turn out to be something other than 'nothing'. If it does (and I REALLY hope it doesn't) turn out to be something sinister, you can then look at your options knowing for sure what you're dealing with.

Yes she's a veteran, but she sounds a lot like the older of my 2 boys, who's 20 but has the brain and temperement of a 4yr old....if he hadn't recently been diagnosed with serious osteo-arthritis I'd still be out competing him regularly and riding him daily and having trouble stopping him :-) He's a fighter and your mare sound the same so, in your shoes, I'd go for it!
 
It depends. If you are not going to do anything with it, what's the point of doing the procedure? If it comes back nasty and your are going to operate if necessary then go ahead.
Are you riding her/is taht an issue? If it's not I personally wouldn't be biopsying.
 
Hi, Ive just had the same dilema with my 25 year old, also with cushings. Although my vet wanted to take her to the clinic, I did manage to get the vet to carry tests out at home.
The lump doesn't sound too bad at the moment, but the stress in a cushings horse could trigger even worse problems.
I would consider whether or not you would put your horse though an opp, as if not considering age and surpressed immune system, the immediate diagnosis isn't as necessary.
Altough having said that I really do understand how desperately you want to no whats going on.
Hope everything works out for you
 
I think you will go through with it, you will have to know for certain. If she is not a stressy sort, will it be that bad? Maybe you could spend lots of time with her for reassurance??? xxx
 
If she's not ridden (ie lump in the way of the girth) and is otherwise happy, eating etc as normal, I'd leave it. If you do have it done, I'd have it done at home to minimise the stress. If the lump is big enough for the vets to be concerned about infection etc, then I think I'd leave it alone and watch what happens.
 
Hi all,

Thanks so much for the replies it always good to get some unbiased opinions for experienced horse owners.

My horse is retired and so not in work so in that sense the lump is no problen.

I am going to ring my vet today and explain my concerns again about transporting her and her staying over at the horsepital. And ask again if there is any way she can have the biopsy done at the yard. Given the risk of stress induced laminitis and other things mentioned on this thread.

I am really am tearing myself up about all of this. I would do just about anything for her, even walk over hot coals if I had to. She has been my best friend for nearly 20 years and I just want to do the right thing for her to give her as long, happy and healthy life as is possible :(

I lost my beloved boy Cheeky 10 years ago during a long and at times heartbreaking stay at the RVC and its bringing back all the memories of that simply awful time. He died and I couldnt be there to be with him, I dont think I could go through all that again, I really dont.

Some of my friends and husband are saying I am blowing this out of all proporation and its just a couple of tests she will be fine and home in no time. She isnt a stressy horse and adapts to most situations with ease, she travels like a dream and although is nearing 24 you would never know it. Even my vet last week was taken with how good she was looking.

Will call my vet today and go through my worries again (poor women!) and double check the options.

Thanks again everyone I appreciate your input.

Sadiemay
 
cptrayes said:
I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this, but if she was mine I would not put her through it at her age and with her medical history.

Cushings causes enough stress chemical floating around the bloodstream and this will give her more. Has anyone warned you of the possibility that more stress will tip her into laminitis?

Personally, I would keep her at home and even if it proves to be malignant I would let it run its course until she is not comfortable and then have her quietly put to sleep at home.
Click to expand...

Exactly this.^^^
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the replied. After much thought I have decided to get a 2nd opinion from another Equine practise as to whether the biopsy can be done at home without great risk of infection.

At her age I really dont want to be transporting her to the Equine Hospital needlessly. And the general concensus with those I have spoken to is that this is something that can be done at the yard. So tomorrow another vet is coming so will see what they say.

Thanks again
Sadiemay
 
I would be doing just what you are - finding a way to get it done at home. I am SURE they can do it, they just prefer not to. Hope it turns out well, I know how you feel having had issues with my now 30yr old, who doesn;t travel well. x
 
So sorry to hear what you are going through, I really do hope it works out for you. You know your horse better than anyone else so you do what you feel is right. We all are different so go with your gut. Please keep us informed (hugs)
 
At her age i would not even consider doing anything invasive, i would monitor her and make sure she is comfortable and leave it at that, she is naturally coming to the end of her time anyway... Leave her be.
 
Daisychain said:
At her age i would not even consider doing anything invasive, i would monitor her and make sure she is comfortable and leave it at that, she is naturally coming to the end of her time anyway... Leave her be.
Click to expand...

I agree with Daisychain . Measure and monitor the lump , Keep a record of its size and any change. If it appears to then spread,you have to weigh up the prognosis of recovery against suffering. FwIw ,horsepitals are full of the most fantastic people I have ever met . They deal with so much loss every day yet still come to work hoping to win one. I would never fear that they would upset my horse. Horses know who loves them and these people are the greatest. I have seen them at work so often , up close and personal , I dont know how they find the strength to do their job.
 
I have a 22 year old New Forest mare that has had a fatty lump that looks like a lipoma and my vet has told me to leave it alone. It is the size of a golf ball and has not changed size or shape in a few years.

As your mare is retired I would keep an eye on it. It may never get any bigger.
 
Thanks for all the replies :o

Well I had another vet out from a different practice out earlier in the week to give a 2nd opinion and he is sure its just a fatty lump and strongly advised to just leave it be. I am feeling alot better about it all now :)

As this is what my vet thinks anyway as I have decided to leave it be for now. It just wouldnt be fair at her age to put her through the stress and unheaval of going to horsepital especially for sometime seemingly unecessary.

I will keep a close eye on it and if there is any change further down the line then I will reconsider.

Sadiemay
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top