swelling in the supra orbital region

[scewal]

As title says my mare has a swelling in this area, i'm aware that it can be a sign of laminitis but she is on a track system with very little grass.
She is a very good doer and on restricted hay too.
He is rising 6 and cob x tb. She doesn't have the typical odd fatty pads as seen in IR horses.
But when i got her as a 4 year old she was obese.

 

[Shay]

The primary cause for that type of swelling is either some form of sinus infection leading to increased pressure in the sinuses or cushings. If memory serves it is one of the indicators which seperates cushings horses from IR.

Your mare is awfully young for a disorder like Cushings - but vets are doing the test for free atm so it might be worth thinking about. Otherwise it might be worth getting her scoped.

 

[paddy555]

The primary cause for that type of swelling is either some form of sinus infection leading to increased pressure in the sinuses or cushings. If memory serves it is one of the indicators which seperates cushings horses from IR.

Your mare is awfully young for a disorder like Cushings - but vets are doing the test for free atm so it might be worth thinking about. Otherwise it might be worth getting her scoped.

I second this.
It is awfully young but there do seem to be an increasing number of young ones. Perhaps the testing/publicity/more public awareness has brought them to the fore.

In hindsight I suspect mine had cushings by the time he was 6. That was went he went into unexplained laminitis.

I would ask your vet for a test and also test for EMS. (more cost effective to do the 2 together whilst you have paid for a vet visit)

you could also point out the swellings at the same time and see if the vet has any other ideas.

If you haven't already found it there is a lot of useful info on the phoenix EMS/PPID group about testing and the results some of us have had.

 

[scewal]

Thank you, i did wonder EMS / cushings / IR.
But the swelling has pretty much gone today?! I shall on the next visit get the vet to test for it. Until then treat her as IR, which i don't think will do her any harm.