Lump on Mollie's face: update.

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FionaM12

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So, last week I started a thread about Mollie's face which had a large hard lump on it.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?633213-Lump-on-Mollie-s-face-any-ideas-please

The vet came out and put her on bute and antibiotics, and I've to phone her tomorrow to tell her if there's any change. I'm not sure there is really. The swelling might be slightly smaller, but is still there. Still rock hard, still seems to be no pain.

Meanwhile, getting the powders into madam has been a performance. She usually has a handful of food a day, if any at all. In order to persuade her to take her meds she's having two small feeds a day, plus treacle (molasses wouldn't tempt her), polo mints (sugarless) and chopped apple. Probably as a result of the sugar-rush and the high wind, she's now a nightmare to handle, plunging about on the yard and pacing round her stable when she comes in for her meds, calling out and throwing herself at her door.

When she's returned to the field she shoots off to join her friends, kicking her heels. She definitely doesn't look under the weather, whatever the lump is.

I'm wondering what the vet's plan is now. I'll find out tomorrow but would feel a lot better if I actually knew what the cause of the lump is. If the vet doesn't come up with an answer, maybe I'll get the EDT out to have a look?

Trouble is, any examination will involve sedation, and I guess that doesn't come without some risk, especially in an older horse?
 
Tallulabelle said:
Not sure if I can offer advice but wanted to say hope they find out the cause of the lump.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm actually really stressed out and anxious about it. I think having to put all this sugar into her in order to give drugs which may not even be appropriate isn't helping. :(
 
FionaM12 said:
Thanks. I'm actually really stressed out and anxious about it. I think having to put all this sugar into her in order to give drugs which may not even be appropriate isn't helping. :(
Click to expand...

I just find it hard to believe it's an abscess. Usually they are very painful and there is heat with the infection. My (ex) horse had a kick on the point of his shoulder, had the vet out and he seemed OK. Couple of days later he was miserable and ill with an abscess. Took a week of antibiotics and hosing the wound out (yuck). I thought the vet might have given you more info. Anyway I hope it clears up and is nothing but a knock.
 
Could you not try something like fast fibre to disguise the meds, and use ordinary dried mint instead of polo's?

19 isn't that old to have sedation, when my 31yo got choke, she had to be sedated while she was tubed, and all was well.

Apache has to be sedated for teeth etc, he's 19.
 
Really fed up to find my poor girl's face swollen up again tonight. :(

She finished her antibiotics and bute a few days ago and the lump had gone. It's back tonight and pretty big.

No heat or pain. She let me prod away and didn't seem bothered.

I think I'll get the dentist out instead of the vet this time. If he says it's not her teeth, time for the vet again. :(
 
I find a jam or marmite sandwich works well for getting medicine in. Give a couple of blank ones first if not used to marmite. I give mine a marmite sandwich as a treat every now and then, they love it.
 
The fact that it has come back after finishing the meds suggests there may be some sort of infection? I'd get vet back out and see if he would pop a needle into it and see if anything comes out.
 
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