Enlarged Thyroid

[Len]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience of an enlarged thyroid? My mare developed a lump under her neck in the region the throatlash would sit - its about the size of an egg. She was fine in herself and eating well. The vet came out and checked it for me and said enlarged thyroid maybe due to iodine defficiency - shes on a multi vit which contains iodine so the vet suggested a salt lick which she wont touch! I have also read up that iodine defficiency is rare and would show other signs too.

Vet came back out for another visit 6 weeks later (different vet) and said def thyroid and not gland and as he could manipulate it he wasnt worried - he said doesnt think related to any deficiency in diet and not to worry about it!

Any ideas / experiences?

 

[maisiebo]

How long has your horse had this? does it come up and go down again or does it stay swollen. I have a young horse who's thyroid swells when she has been out on the grass all day. She is stabled over night and it go's down again. My vet told me it was nothing to worry about. To be on the safe side I insisted on a blood test to check her vitamin levels. The blood test was fine still don't know to this day what it is, Maybe an allergy?

 

[vicijp]

My horse gets this on and off. Apparently egg sized isnt a lot over normal, but I think some horses 'show' it more than others. A course of pink powders always sort him out, they have a good iodine content.

 

[Marilyn]

Funny you should mention iodine, my mother-in-law recently bought my horses some salt (from Lidl) that had iodine included. I haven't fed it as I wasn't sure what iodine did to horses...may be it's worth a go? After speaking to vet of course

 

[vicijp]

Iodine is a very important part of the diet, but too much can bugg#r them as quickly as too little. My vet did recommend some stuff you get from the chemist for my horse, but id need to measure it myself. I much prefer to use something that is controlled. I would think the salt would be fine.

 

[Len]

Hi,

Shes had it for about 6 weeks - it started as soon as we moved yards - she went from being stables overnight to being out 24/7 but not on alot of grass.

Thanks for the feedback - think I will try the pink powders - she will be in overnight from October so maybe that will help too.