denali_15
New User
My 7yo OTTB mare has been diagnosed with progressive ethmoid hematoma after presenting with non-stop trickle of blood over a period of a month. This has been confirmed with X-rays.
On the weekend we are travelling 9 hours to be scoped by the nearest specialist available, to see if we can get a better view of what we are dealing with as there are no scopes out where I live.
Because of the lack of scope in my area, formalin injections are out as a method of treatment, as I cant drive 18hrs round trip every 2 weeks to have it injected, and don't want to have her boarded so far away for months at a time.
So surgery would really be the only available treatment option. The cost of this is not cheap, however it isnt out of the question either.
I have asked as many people I know in person, those with experience do not have positive experience in treating it. Ive also asked in a FB group, the replies I got there all ended in recurrence shortly after and the horse subsequently being pts.
I’ve been reading studies, all of which say the long term prognosis is poor, with published rates of recurrence between 40-60% of cases, some erring more on the side of 50-60%.
Essentially, my heart wants her to live forever, but my head doesn’t know if putting her through a painful surgery, with weeks in a stall to heal, for something that has a 50-60% chance of coming back anyway is worth it…
Essentially, I would like your brutally honest opinion- does it make me a terrible owner for not trying the surgery once and going with a palliative care option instead?
I'm just not certain i can emotionally cope with watching her heal just for it to come back again and repeat this process. I certainly couldn't justify the surgery twice.
Obviously i will speak with the vet in relation to treatment options, the vets success rates and her prognosis before making any final decisions, i just want to be prepared beforehand because I'll be there alone and likely rather emotional and overwhelmed.
Does anyone have any positive longterm outcomes with PEH?
On the weekend we are travelling 9 hours to be scoped by the nearest specialist available, to see if we can get a better view of what we are dealing with as there are no scopes out where I live.
Because of the lack of scope in my area, formalin injections are out as a method of treatment, as I cant drive 18hrs round trip every 2 weeks to have it injected, and don't want to have her boarded so far away for months at a time.
So surgery would really be the only available treatment option. The cost of this is not cheap, however it isnt out of the question either.
I have asked as many people I know in person, those with experience do not have positive experience in treating it. Ive also asked in a FB group, the replies I got there all ended in recurrence shortly after and the horse subsequently being pts.
I’ve been reading studies, all of which say the long term prognosis is poor, with published rates of recurrence between 40-60% of cases, some erring more on the side of 50-60%.
Essentially, my heart wants her to live forever, but my head doesn’t know if putting her through a painful surgery, with weeks in a stall to heal, for something that has a 50-60% chance of coming back anyway is worth it…
Essentially, I would like your brutally honest opinion- does it make me a terrible owner for not trying the surgery once and going with a palliative care option instead?
I'm just not certain i can emotionally cope with watching her heal just for it to come back again and repeat this process. I certainly couldn't justify the surgery twice.
Obviously i will speak with the vet in relation to treatment options, the vets success rates and her prognosis before making any final decisions, i just want to be prepared beforehand because I'll be there alone and likely rather emotional and overwhelmed.
Does anyone have any positive longterm outcomes with PEH?
