|
|
Post by Debbie on Oct 12, 2008 19:49:24 GMT -1
 No, unfortunately today as the horrid late Fall flies were annoying all of us, I had a peek at the site, as I felt it really should be cleared up by now. I'd stopped with the tea tree oil as it was all on the mend. Its gotten worse! And bigger. To heck with this, I'm phoning the vet tomorrow. I don't mind if its something I've seen before and can treat, but I'm not fooling about with this. Besides, I can slip in their vaccinations at the same time. Enough's enough. I can't have my boy suffering. Will let you all know what the vet thinks of it. 
|
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Oct 13, 2008 5:06:54 GMT -1
I'm sure you are right to get the vet at this stage, particularly as Galahad is an elderly chap. Fingers crossed it is nothing to be concerned about. Do let us know what the vet says.
|
|
|
|
Post by harleydales on Oct 13, 2008 8:44:45 GMT -1
Better safe than sorry Debbie, you've tried to treat it and it's not going away, so quite right to call the vet in.
Let us know what he thinks
|
|
|
|
Post by leannwithconnie on Oct 13, 2008 8:46:05 GMT -1
How odd....I agree that calling the vet now is probably wise.
Will keep fingers crossed that it is something simple and is cleared up quickly.
|
|
|
|
Post by jay on Oct 13, 2008 10:14:25 GMT -1
I hope the vet gets it cleared as soon as possible Debbie
|
|
|
|
Post by leannwithconnie on Oct 16, 2008 14:08:27 GMT -1
What did the vet think the lump was Debbie?
|
|
|
|
Post by valerie n scout on Oct 16, 2008 14:30:46 GMT -1
are things settlin with Galahad at all Debbie x
|
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Oct 17, 2008 14:00:53 GMT -1
Sorry I haven't had the chance to reply sooner...its been a hectic week. The vet's due this afternoon at 3:30pm, so we'll see what he thinks of it. I shall let you all know as soon as we have a diagnosis Sure hope it doesn't involve bathing as we're starting to get nighttime temps of upper 30sF and daytime of 50*Fs ...not very warm for bathing, stoic ranch type horse or otherwise! |
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Oct 17, 2008 22:58:43 GMT -1
Okay ...the vet and her assistant came out today to peer and prod and hear the saga of Galahad's side. Bless 'im, the boy was so stoic, and a bit tender as they pulled tufts of fur and skin out for samples. She didn't have a clue what it was either  In fact, she went back to the vet clinic, samples in hand to consult with the other two vets and get her clippers. And they didn't have a clue either. Insult added to injury, Galahad now has a very bald patch as she removed the tufted fur so we could all get a better look. The poor boy was cold ontop of being very offended! However, we could all get a much better look at the skin. Its healed this week all on its own, adding to the mystery. Although there was dander and you could see swollen patches. She's going to do a test tomorrow on the sample to see if its fungal based, but the assistant scrubbed it all with iodine and peroxide, and I'm to continue with the tea tree oil twice daily. I think all of us came to the conclusion it must've been a possible secondary infection spread from the flies harrassing the original horsefly bites. There were two of them side by side, and no matter how much fly spray I applied, they were horrific! This week's turned cold, so he's had his sheet on much of the time, and the flies cannot get to it at all. I feel this more than anything set his skin to healing. Sorry about the loss of fur, but better to be able to see what's going on, and this way I can get the tea tree oil exactly where it needs to be.  |
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Oct 18, 2008 5:08:33 GMT -1
Glad it's finally healing. Poor Galahad having all that prodding and sampling going on but I'm sure he knows it was for his own good. It will be interesting to see what the vets come up with once the skin test results come back. It does sound like secondary infection of some sort following on from the fly bites. Lucky Galahad having such a diligent Mum to spot the problem early on. |
|
|
|
Post by valerie n scout on Oct 18, 2008 11:17:12 GMT -1
oh bless him, sendin loads of love and hugs over the pond xxx
|
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Oct 18, 2008 15:02:08 GMT -1
Poor boy was positively chilled as I peeled his sheet back this morning to apply the tea tree oil. He kept looking round as if to say "Is that really necessary?" before tucking back into his breakfast. I haven't received a phonecall back yet. And I'm rather hoping not to. She told me she would do a stain on some of the sample and look at it proper under the microscope. Apparently there's a special stain that if its any form of fungal (rainscald), then it will come up like a neon sign. If not, she wouldn't bother me, and we'll all suspect it was a secondary from the flies harrassing the site. She was a brilliant vet! Fresh from school, and ever so keen to say "I don't know either". I know that may not be reassuring, but I'd far rather the truth than blunding forwards. It takes a lot of guts to admit when you're stumped and haven't seen that yet. One thing that was beneficial, the vet school's only an hour away so should this turn out to be something truly weird, we'll be able to secure a specialist finding as well.  But to be honest, once we'd clipped the fur, the skin is very well on the mend. A bit of dander, a little swelling, but all in all, looking very healthy. Ahhhh.... Galahad would like to know how long that bald patch will take to grow back out again??  |
|
|
|
Post by PonyGirl on Oct 21, 2008 13:18:50 GMT -1
Sounds like a keeper of a vet!
|
|
No, unfortunately today as the horrid late Fall flies were annoying all of us, I had a peek at the site, as I felt it really should be cleared up by now. I'd stopped with the tea tree oil as it was all on the mend. 
In fact, she went back to the vet clinic, samples in hand to consult with the other two vets and get her clippers. And they didn't have a clue either. 
