We have sent off the cyst for testing at the lab, just to make 100% sure thats what it is, if its not the prognosis will change markedly.
They went back in yesterday just to make sure all was ok, and nothing was missed. My horse is doing exceptionally well and was in fine form trying to bite me on the face as he is stall bound and doesnt like that.
I have pictures of the surgery and the cyst if anyone is interested, just pm me.
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I’m glad they found and were able to remove the cyst–knowing there was a cause and being able to address it is fantastic news. Hopefully tests come back saying it was only a cyst and he keeps improving from here!
I’m dealing with a sinusitis problem with my 6 yo mare. She’s sick for 4 months now, and no vets diagnosed it yet ! I asked for antiotics before going back to the hospital, and finaly there is an improvement, and I surprisingly, I found that her face was swollen because it came back to a bony apperance. I have to have a good talk with my vet tomorow.
I follow your story with interest ! Thanks
I’m sure he’s feeling much better now that that thing was removed. That thing looks huge.
Glad you persevered and got to the bottom of it. Hopefully his recovery will be uneventful. I am holding off taking my mini to Auburn for further diagnostics just yet. His nose has only demonstrated a bit of drainage here and there so I’m hoping it’s going to resolve on it’s own maybe. Will give it a bit of time and see.
I was so close to doing that too, when the drainage was restored and it was just clear liquid. My horse has developed a trailer loading issue with all these medical interventions and I really did think about just leaving it. I decided to try load him in the trailer and take him if I could get him in, which is what happened. Luckily.
My issue has always been that there have been no outward signs that he was so unwell. Its all been a very strange and traumatic ride, I still dont really know what the future holds and wether this will be the end of it.
One thing the vet said to me was that the sinus is hard to treat with antibiotic therapy, and that you can give him antibiotics until the cows come home and it will never treat there. My horse even with 4ltrs of infection in his sinus never had any temperature so I really didnt expect this.
When he came home after the first surgery, he had antibiotics twice a day, I had him on herbs for his immune system, homeopathics, and he was on therapy doses of probiotics. He had also had Vit C injections, yet in 5 weeks I was right back at square one.
I dont wish this on anyone to be honest. My horses vet bills are nearing 7k this year now, and im hopeful he will make a recovery and start again, but there isnt any guarantee. Especially until I know the results of what the growth is. One day at a time, and he is having at least 3 months holiday now until Ican stomach the thought of dealing with riding him.
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So I have just recieved my pathology results - its a cyst.
It also had bone like granulation in it so the suspicion is that its been there some time (this horse has always had a level of exercise intolerance, in hindsite)
They also got the entire thing so they dont believe there is any reminants. So over all the future looks pretty bright for him.
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Good News!
Now hopefully you and your horse (and your bank account) will make a full recovery.
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A further update
The wound itself appears to be healing well. The horse behaviour wise isnt great, but thats understandable.
The stitches are due out in a few days now.
The horse has a very bad cough when exterted at all, and that includes walking 20-30m and frankly sounds pretty rough in the breathing.
I will discuss with the vet when he is out wether this is part of normal recovery or not.
The horse has quietened down considerably in the last few days which I dont think is a good sign, as he isnt at all quiet.
Hopefully my bad feeling about it is just complete paranoia as its been a horrible few months, but historically my bad feelings have been what saved his life this far. Be interesting to see what the vet says.
Ill update again.
I’m glad the wound is healing!
Hopefully the vet will be able to sort out whatever is causing the cough quickly.
Do keep us posted. Fingers crossed that the worst is behind you. I just finished a 5 day course of Penicillin for my mini of 10ccs every 12 hrs. Poor little man was a real trooper about it. According to an article I read, penicillin is better than Excede for this. His nose is clear at present. May it last. But if not, I’ll quit beating the bushes and haul him down to Auburn and get him scoped.
Keep a record of his TPR, it will help the vet in assessing the horses recovery.
Is he currently on antibiotics?
Development of a respiratory infection might not seem improbable after sinus surgery due to asperation of body fluids during and after the procedure.
Pneumonia is the thing to be on guard against.
I’d call vet ASAP and inform them of the current symptoms.
Update again, vet is out tomorrow and will be bringing an xray
My horses eye is weeping again and I bet my right arm that there is an infection in there, despite him religiously being on antibiotics since the surgery.
Ive spoken to my insurance company and am not in a great position, there is a capped amount I can claim on this and we are 2k away from that cap (or maybe less) and the last surgery was 3k
I need to speak with my vets about prognosis as there are several factors to consider here now, one is my horse is not coping with the medical intervention and has become dangerous to handle. Secondly we just cannot appear to get on top of the infection.
I cant even imagine my horse having to go through that bone flap surgery again, its been 3 weeks, that bone wont be able to be saved if we pull it off now.
Ive asked me insurance company about euthanasia and they will not euthanase as surgical options are available still (even if there is no money in the kitty to pay for them!!!)
Ill be having a very frank conversation with the vet to try and make the best decision by my horse (financial implications be damned).
Anyone done the bone flap surgery twice, on top of the drilling and lavage? Why on earth would it work now, when there are 2 failures already?
I am so sorry. I hope your vet is able to give you some better answers about your concerns. No one could fault you for not trying. Jingles for you and your horse.
Vet is happy enough with the progress and is seeing him again in 2 weeks.
Said the tear duct drain is totally destroyed and that his eye will probably always weep. Its hard for anyone to know whats going on and the horse isnt cooperating with medical treatment anymore. Had to be heavily sedated to get sutures out and even getting that sedation in wasnt easy.
I have been feeding him a one of a kind product called Itz Magic. I started feeding it about 4 days before the vet came and didnt make the connection that the nasal discharge improved markedly. Vet said to keep going, horse is bright and running about again.
Has another week or so of antibiotics and then turned out for a good 8-12mo and see what happens
Its a stressful little rollercoaster
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There is hope for the tear drainage. I had a horse who smashed his face in below one eye in some accident before I got him. He had a dent in his skull for life, but the drainage duct did eventually restablish itself. It took years.
Here’s hoping you have years with your boy.
Kiwichick, glad to hear the latest vet visit and prognosis is promising. I hope your horse continues to show forward progress. Knock on wood, but it’s been just over a week after a 5 day course of 10cc q. 12hrs for my mini, and his nose is still dry. Hope whatever infection he had going on, is finally resolved. Fingers crossed for a good outcome for us both.
I have read this pretty thoroughly but I didn’t see if you have tried unclogging tear ducts. Is eye swollen when weeping? I have a horse that is missing one tear duct and one will clog. I was flushing it regularly. A vet suggested putting DSMO on her face a few times a day and the swelling went down, unclogged duct and this solution is lasting long term. I make sure not to use DSMO when I think I am going to use fly spray.
