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Swollen Lymph Nodes, Help??

3K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  Dusty1228 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok, I bought this horse for my daughter. I was told that what you see in the photos below was from him having strangles as a baby. I didn't question it at the time. But, was told that they could be drained but do not bother him. (Ok, it won't let me load the photos, I have tried several different times. I am going to try & add them to my album & see what happens.

I rode him multiple times & he was totally awesome. We got him July 1st. Recently, every time I ask him for more than a walk, he pins his ears and rolls his neck, as if he is going to buck me. At first I'm like, ok, I'll play your game you little brat. But, then I realized that he seemed to be in actual PAIN, he wasn't being a JERK he was trying to tell me something.

I got his feet done. Legs checked. Back cracked. His teeth done.

He continued. I'm like wtf? Well, the third time he started his crap, he made a noise deep in his throat like a chuffing noise. Like he wanted to sneeze or cough, but didn't. And that's when it snapped in my head that I was a complete idiot & had been taking people's word for the fact that his swollen nodes didn't bother him.

I'm not saying they DO, but I'm thinking that that might be the problem. I suspect that when he starts to pick up the pace, it becomes harder for him to breathe. This is only a guess.

Anyhow, I'm looking for a vet in my area, because mine will NOT return my calls. I have been calling him since last Friday and haven't gotten a call-back.I don't want to screw around & keep this boy uncomfortable.

So, anyhow, any advice and/or a lead or two in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

I'm in Carleton, Mi.

I'm going to try calling other vets tomorrow, at this point, I just want to get him seen, but if anyone has a recommendation, I'd love to hear it. Also, if anyone is familiar with what is going on here, please, please, tell me all about it!!!
 
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#2 ·
#4 ·
Not as of yet. I have NO idea what the deal is, I've called just about everybody. My BO says that's NOT what's bothering him & that he is just being a brat. I don't believe it for a second & even if that WERE the case, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I'm with you as far as people I COULD call that I wouldn't trust to do anything with my horses. So frustrating. :-|
 
#6 ·
Elwood has a swollen lymph node, it started a few days after his annual shots in May this year. He also lost his voice, I kid you not, he has always been very vocal but soon after I noticed the lump it dawned on me that he was not talking to me either. He would go through the motions but no sound, this includes nickers, whuffles, whinneys and all sorts of noises, he had laryngitis. Soon he gave up trying and was just quiet :-(. I am happy to say that now in August he has his voice back, but the lump has not gotten any smaller.

About a month after the lump appeared a vet came to the barn for another horse and did take a look at Elwood, he said it was just the lymph node doing it's job of trapping and containing some sort of foreign substance in the blood, and would probably go away on it's own in time.

I've tried attaching pics without going to photobucket, don't know if it will work. Elwoods lump looks smaller and in a different place than your horses's. Elwoods is on one side between the 2 rounded cheekbones, and you can feel the node on the other side too, it is just normal size.

Hope this helps, and posting this serves as subbing to hear of experiences form others.

Hair Skin Fur Ear Fawn


Hair Bridle Horse tack Long hair Fur
 
#7 ·
So I was just checking in for additional posts ....

Honestly, the words 'lymph nodes' and problems with them makes the thought of cancer cross my mind. I haven't wanted to say it out loud to anyone, waiting for someone else to bring it up. Scary thought, but Elwood is grey after all. Dusty, your horse isn't grey but has anyone mentioned it to you?
 
#8 ·
This is interesting....
My friends mare slammed the top of her head on the trailer when she was being naughty. The vet came out, cleaned it, and sutured it up. Suddenly, she swelled up just like that near her throat. 3 months of IV treatment, draining, vit B injections, and probably near 3 grand in vet bills, and the mare STILL swells up. I'd never seen anything like it until this thread.... I'm subbing.
 
#9 ·
STILL have yet to hear from a vet. Now, I'm really worried, well, not that I wasn't before, but, no no one has mentioned cancer. One lady I talked to said that every time her horses switch between hay & grass she gets one that does this & he is fine, just allergies. One woman said that when her horse gets a cold & his neck gets like this & she has to get them drained, but as soon as it's drained he's fine.

Elwood's lump looks similar to Cherokee's, although, I don't know whether it is affecting his voice or not. As I stated, we bought him in July & he's never been a vocal animal.

You can push on it & wiggle it around & he doesn't give it a thought. But, like I said at a trot or a canter he starts chuffing & rolling his neck, gives me a crow hop or two. I've tried switching out his head stall, from riding in a halter to many different hackamores. At first I thought, also that maybe I was confusing him by riding him in something he was unfamiliar with, as I know next to NONE of his history. I don't have anything with a bit, because we've always ridden bitless, so I thought maybe it was just him working through some kinks. UNTIL he started making that noise on me.

I'm so confused right now & frustrated that I can't seem to get a vet to save my life.
 
#11 ·
THANK YOU! I will call first thing in the morning & see what they can do. Thank you so much!
 
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