Not sure this will be of interest to anyone, but....
This is all my understanding from the vet so bear with me if I get it wrong
Two weeks ago I quite by accident found a large hard lump halfway down Harvey's neck (a bit bigger than a golf ball). Its not visible and in fact even knowing its there its not easy to find. The vet came out next day but couldn't really say much without further investigation. She did though also find that he had an "odd" heartbeat. I was concerned that it was associated with the respiratory issues he had last year and thought it might be in, or impinging on his windpipe.
I was going to find the money for the investigation whatever, but to prepare me I asked for an estimate and was surprised to receive a detailed breakdown of the likely costs (it might be common but it was new to me)
So on Friday we travelled the hour to the veterinary hospital. We were early but Harvey was weighed (630kg) and put in the stable to settle. To my surprise he was quite anxious and didn't want me to leave him even by a few feet (and he really isn't a cuddly horse). Good job it was nice weather as I had to stand by his head the whole time.
The head vet first checked out the lump and listened to his heart. He then had light IV sedation and then went into the treatment room where his throat/windpipe was checked out with an endoscope, down as far as where it divides to go to the lungs. It was all normal. We did find that he had previously had a hobday which will be why he can't neigh!
At the same time he had a tracheal wash. This is where fluid is injected (via the endoscope) into the windpipe and then sucked out again so it can be checked for infection. (Harvey is and always has been snotty so this is to investigate that).
so the results:
The lump is likely die to previous trauma and is probably cartilage - its not a concern
Harvey's heart has a 4 beat rhythm rather than the common 2 beat. This apparently is fairly commo in big horses especially when they are reasonably fit so again not a concern
The tracheal wash has gone to the lab so I'm waiting for the results
About to start
This is all my understanding from the vet so bear with me if I get it wrong
Two weeks ago I quite by accident found a large hard lump halfway down Harvey's neck (a bit bigger than a golf ball). Its not visible and in fact even knowing its there its not easy to find. The vet came out next day but couldn't really say much without further investigation. She did though also find that he had an "odd" heartbeat. I was concerned that it was associated with the respiratory issues he had last year and thought it might be in, or impinging on his windpipe.
I was going to find the money for the investigation whatever, but to prepare me I asked for an estimate and was surprised to receive a detailed breakdown of the likely costs (it might be common but it was new to me)
So on Friday we travelled the hour to the veterinary hospital. We were early but Harvey was weighed (630kg) and put in the stable to settle. To my surprise he was quite anxious and didn't want me to leave him even by a few feet (and he really isn't a cuddly horse). Good job it was nice weather as I had to stand by his head the whole time.
The head vet first checked out the lump and listened to his heart. He then had light IV sedation and then went into the treatment room where his throat/windpipe was checked out with an endoscope, down as far as where it divides to go to the lungs. It was all normal. We did find that he had previously had a hobday which will be why he can't neigh!
At the same time he had a tracheal wash. This is where fluid is injected (via the endoscope) into the windpipe and then sucked out again so it can be checked for infection. (Harvey is and always has been snotty so this is to investigate that).
so the results:
The lump is likely die to previous trauma and is probably cartilage - its not a concern
Harvey's heart has a 4 beat rhythm rather than the common 2 beat. This apparently is fairly commo in big horses especially when they are reasonably fit so again not a concern
The tracheal wash has gone to the lab so I'm waiting for the results
About to start
