Tishko
Member
Hi everyone,
So, my horse, has been suffering with a problem in his neck/throat since May 2014. He is visably swollen in the throat area and this causes him great discomfort when being ridden. Normally he is light in the hand and supple to flex but since May he has been finding it progressively more difficult to work softly (now is in very light work of mainly hacking just to keep him ticking over)
Previously, he had a melanoma in the salivary glands (on the left side) which was successfully operated on in Feb 2012 and he returned to full fitness. The symptoms he is presenting now are very similar to those he was showing around the time we found the first melanoma. The symptoms are: reluctance to work softly, flex laterally, attempting to 'snatch' the contact away, tilting the head so to alleviate pressure in the throat area and noticeable swelling of the glands. He has been undergoing veterinary treatment since June 2014 looking into this new problem and SO FAR we have had little success in finding the problem.
The vets so far have done:
Ultrasound scans to check for melanoma. Nothing concerning other than the obvious inflammation.
Allergy testing - due to the glands being permanently swollen for 4/5months. Prescribed antihistamines for trial period with little improvement. No positive tests that he is allergic to anything.
Danillon trial - pain killer/anti-inflammatory with no success or improvement.
Blood tests - all came back normal
Endoscopy - nothing abnormal shown
Strangles tested - NEGATIVE
(Dentist visited in April with no problems & has had chiropractor twice over summer with some treatment needed but not related to his neck)
Horse info: 10yo 17hh Oldenburg. Currently in very light work. Stabled 8.30am-4pm turned out at night. No other health issues. Fed on hay, a balancer and chaff (not changed recently). Mainly happy in himself - does get agitated when in discomfort from his neck i.e ears back, tail swishing. Notably more lethargic to ride than normal.
SO - I'm looking for any suggestions or advice as to where to go next? I am, of course, still working with the vets but wondering if anyone else has any other ideas or has had a similar problem?
The next step with the vets is to take him to an Equine Hospital and have him CT scanned - he is insured but this investigation is voided due to his operation in 2012 which they paid out for!
I will try and attach some photos for you to see!
Thanks in advance and any suggestions/comments welcome..
Chloe
So, my horse, has been suffering with a problem in his neck/throat since May 2014. He is visably swollen in the throat area and this causes him great discomfort when being ridden. Normally he is light in the hand and supple to flex but since May he has been finding it progressively more difficult to work softly (now is in very light work of mainly hacking just to keep him ticking over)
Previously, he had a melanoma in the salivary glands (on the left side) which was successfully operated on in Feb 2012 and he returned to full fitness. The symptoms he is presenting now are very similar to those he was showing around the time we found the first melanoma. The symptoms are: reluctance to work softly, flex laterally, attempting to 'snatch' the contact away, tilting the head so to alleviate pressure in the throat area and noticeable swelling of the glands. He has been undergoing veterinary treatment since June 2014 looking into this new problem and SO FAR we have had little success in finding the problem.
The vets so far have done:
Ultrasound scans to check for melanoma. Nothing concerning other than the obvious inflammation.
Allergy testing - due to the glands being permanently swollen for 4/5months. Prescribed antihistamines for trial period with little improvement. No positive tests that he is allergic to anything.
Danillon trial - pain killer/anti-inflammatory with no success or improvement.
Blood tests - all came back normal
Endoscopy - nothing abnormal shown
Strangles tested - NEGATIVE
(Dentist visited in April with no problems & has had chiropractor twice over summer with some treatment needed but not related to his neck)
Horse info: 10yo 17hh Oldenburg. Currently in very light work. Stabled 8.30am-4pm turned out at night. No other health issues. Fed on hay, a balancer and chaff (not changed recently). Mainly happy in himself - does get agitated when in discomfort from his neck i.e ears back, tail swishing. Notably more lethargic to ride than normal.
SO - I'm looking for any suggestions or advice as to where to go next? I am, of course, still working with the vets but wondering if anyone else has any other ideas or has had a similar problem?
The next step with the vets is to take him to an Equine Hospital and have him CT scanned - he is insured but this investigation is voided due to his operation in 2012 which they paid out for!
I will try and attach some photos for you to see!
Thanks in advance and any suggestions/comments welcome..
Chloe
