kidney fat?!!!

[bimbomb]

I had a 'back lady' out for my pony yesterday who has recurring back problems. The first thing she said was that my pony has fat on her kidneys which is shown as a lump behind the saddle. I thought it was muscle spasm. She has recommended that I feed bicarbonate of soda to get rid of it. Apparently it is very painful which would explain a lot as she is very tense through her back and often dips when I touch this area. Does anyone have any experience of this?

 

[paulineh]

I was recommended to use Sodium Bicarb on my little New Forest pony who has fat lumps and a crested neck.

Have just started her on it so will see what the results are later.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

What qualifications does this "back lady" have? Not an expert on horse physiology but aren't the kidneys covered by a thick sheet of muscle and all sorts of other internal bits and bobs. I'd have thought it would have been impossible to feel/see fat on a kidney from the outside unless it was about 10 times its normal size. Are you sure it's not just a fat pad or muscle damage from a poorly fitting saddle? I'd always recommend starting with the most obvious first, working on the golden rule that common things are the mosr common.

 

[Murphy88]

While I stand to be corrected, I'm not sure it is possible to palpate the kidneys from outside - you can in cats, but even in some large dogs you can struggle to find kidneys so I think it would be very difficult to feel them in a horse. The kidneys are naturally covered by a layer of perirenal fat; in a fat horse this may be increased, but again I'm not sure why it would be causing the horse pain. If you are really concerned that your horse is experiencing back or kidney pain then I would consider getting the vet out - it is possible to ultrasound the kidneys to get a clearer view of any abnormalities.

Also, to those who were recommended bicarb, did the people who recommended it explain the theory behind it - genuine question as I can't see how bicarb would get rid of fat and if it does would be interested in the physiology of it.

 

[almorton]

sorry but what a load of ****!
if you can see/feel fat on the kidneys youve got a serious problem, like part of your horse is missing!
this really irritates me, im a qualified member of the ESMA and things like this are exactly why vets treat people like me with suspicion!
i suggest seeking a refund and trying another qualified professional, chiro, physio or sport therapist member such as ESMA! or, if your horse is lame, vet.
sorry!
just my opinion!

 

[stranger1612]

Have you considered trying some snake oil?