Need advice/ wwyd?

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ldlp111

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Will try to keep story short.....

My almost 18yr old gelding developed a swollen sheath about 3/4 weeks ago, vet was called and she gave it a clean and then gave me course of anti-b (this happened back in july and anti-b did clear the problem). After finished course sheath was still swollen so gave it a week but still swollen, and then he developed swellings under chest (like extra small boobs) called vet who came out and took bloods. Nothing has shown in the bloods, only test which might of shown something was the cushings one which was borderline, vet wants to retest in couple of months.
Vet came out last friday to give small dose of steriods as worried might cause lami, swelling has gone down alittle. Vet phoned yesterday and has said to put him on a course of steriods I think she said 50 a day (might of been 50 tablets twice a day) for a week, then 25 a day for a week and then I think 15 a day for a week.
After thinking about this all day yesterday I have decided I don't want to do the course of steriods as Im worried about him getting lami (he has a scarred foot on front and worry lami could end up more serious because of this), I haven't picked up the drugs yet so assume I won't still be charged! He is fine in himself still eating and running around the field doing his acrobats etc.

So basically asking what you would do?
I still have yet to obtain a urine sample, seems he's abit shy :rolleyes:
Any advice much appreciated :)
 
Hi sorry been out sorting horses out, vet said could be protein problem, heart problem or she thinks cushing. But i've not heard of cushing causing swellings.
I thought she said she was doing a heart test with his blood and assume that this came back fine.
 
Ok will do this, if she says they did the test and it was fine what then, would you proceed with the steriods? I just have an issue of treating the symptoms rather the cause if you see what I mean as seems a waste of money.
 
At the first visit this year when she was cleaning his sheath, she did notice some changes to his skin and did suggest this could be the reason for the sheath to swell, just thought I'd mention that.
Sorry if i'm not making much sense I have a banging headache and neck pain :(
 
Personally I would avoid the use of steroids without a firm diagnosis especially if Cushings is suspected. I think you need to have another discussion with your vet and clarify what exactly has been tested for and what is the purpose of the steroids.
 
TGM said:
Personally I would avoid the use of steroids without a firm diagnosis especially if Cushings is suspected. I think you need to have another discussion with your vet and clarify what exactly has been tested for and what is the purpose of the steroids.
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I agree. And with your concerns op about treating the symptoms and not the problem.
 
oh ffs am getting abit pissed off now, just spoke to vet didn't do heart test as didn't think that was the problem, so she will need to come back out and take more blood and assume charging me another callout fee!!!
Vet said just wanted to see how the steriods helped:confused:
Am getting very annoyed now, do you think I should query having to pay callout again and charge to draw more blood :( Bill is already over £400 :(
 
How on earth has it got to £400?? That seems a huge amount already?

I think you need to speak to the vet when they come out really to decide on whether you argue the bill or not. But for the moment, it would seem that testing the heart is the way to go.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.
 
Well the bill was £320 for two visits and the tests, anti-bs etc, So am roughly assuming last visit will be £100, and now another visit to get more blood even though she said they were going to test heart function with first lot of blood.
Do I need to query it with the vet or the practise? I am useless at sticking up for myself I just see this as an unneccessary visit as I thought heart function was being doing with first lot of blood etc.

(sorry my spelling is awful)
 
ldlp111 said:
now another visit to get more blood even though she said they were going to test heart function with first lot of blood.

Do I need to query it with the vet or the practise? I am useless at sticking up for myself I just see this as an unneccessary visit as I thought heart function was being doing with first lot of blood etc.

(sorry my spelling is awful)
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In that case, when the vet comes, double check that with them - and if it's confirmed tell them you don't expect to be billed for either the visit or the bloods being run again.
 
I asked on phone that I thought the heart test was being done, vet said decided not to do that test as they thought probably wasn't the cause. But I just ask again that I thought she was doing them with first blood etc and if vet says yes but they changed mind then I say I not paying for this visit etc ? :)
ets you wouldn't pay for the test either ?
 
ldlp111 said:
ets you wouldn't pay for the test either ?
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It's not that I wouldn't pay - but I would argue the toss with them. They told you were testing, then changed their mind without informing you. At that point you could have insisted that the test was run.

However, the important thing is that the horse is treated. So I would certainly be taking it up with them at this point, saying that you're not happy. But I certainly wouldn't be alienating anyone at this point.
 
Thought I would update....

Vet came out yesterday to get more blood, I said I was unhappy paying for another visit when I thought test was being done with last lot.
Vet said they'd told me about deciding not to do heart test but I don't remember this. Not sure why they would decide not to do heart test as they hadn't found any problems with other tests but there we go.
Anyway the swelling on chest has almost gone so that's good, so just await results now.
Thanks for the advice :)
 
Out of interest OP, as you're in my old neck of the woods, which vets are you using? I have strong views about some of the vets in that area based on experience(!) PM if you prefer...
 
Another update/question....
I have finally managed to get some urine, would you get this tested now or wait until heart function test comes back which might come back monday anyway? :)
I have put it in fridge on vets instruction.

thanks :)
 
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