Wierd sweaty patch - any ideas ?

itsmyparty

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Big ginger boy is off sick again.

A couple of weeks ago he stopped going forward (bracing himself and lifting his head) so we got physio and vet in. Physio thought possibly saddle refitting needed (booked for next week) and suggested (and lent us) TENS machine and icing around withers and a point towards cantle.

Two days after we started all this treatment he developed a very odd sweaty patch on his near shoulder, infront of the withers and about 6 inches below. The rest of his body is cool but this 6 inch patch of shoulder was hot to the touch. Got vet back in and she told us to STOP ALL TREATMENT and let him settle. The sweat has now gone and it's now only just slightly warm to the touch.

Has anyone ever seen this ? Both vet and physio are a bit stumped (suggestions of possible old injury exacerbated by poorly fitting saddle, wobbles -eek - although he's crossing over his back legs when turning in a circle). Physio (from VERY reputable practice) doesn't think it would be linked to the TENS machine.
 
I think sometimes this can happen if they have a muscular/nerve issue in that area? I am not sure though - but I think thats what our physio said when we mentioned weird sweating on one of ours? A trapped nerve maybe?

Sorry for rubbish reply!
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Agree with Stencilface - odd sweaty patches are usually a result of nerve damage. Hope you get to the bottom of it!
 
I mentioned to my physio about 2 sweat patches on the rear of my gelding when she came to see him this week. After she did the treatment he sweated from these patches so I could show her.

She said they are from a damaged nerve, probably from an injection and not to worry as they are in the rear. She said when they are near the withers/lower neck thats when need to worry as could mean a trapped nerve.

Could your vet/physio do more checks into it out or find out some info from someone that does know about nerve damage? Even if its not something serious at least it will be peace of mind.

Hope you get your boy sorted.x
 
Saf had a patch on her right hind after a horrid fall, nerve damage
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took a year for hers to go and she had feradic (sp) treatment and latter had equisage along with regular phisio
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Thanks for these guys. The vet called back yesterday having spoken to some nerve specialist. He thinks nerve damage, but because of the position of the patch, damage to the chest rather than the neck. Possibly the big ginger galoof fell over in the field ? The sweating has stopped now so maybe (hopefully) it is sorting itself out.
 
I had a horse one who had a similar sweaty patch - on one side, on his shoulder/neck about 6" below withers - it was about 4" wide and 6" top to bottom. He was also very stiff on that rein. After exhaustive enquiries and vets etc, my excellent physio diagnosed a problem with muscle/nerve much further up the neck on that side (the same muscle that runs on down the shoulder). After physio treatment on the neck, and lots of massage from me it went away completely and never recurred. Good luck!
 
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