[DisneyCowgirl1901]

Its goes from just behind where a girth would go, to her tits.... it's about 12" wide and 3+" deep!!!! The lady I board with said it could be edema?? and said that it's connected to heart failure! The vet will be here tomorrow, but does that sound possible???? It literally showed up within 24-36 hours!!! I have owned her for 16 years and she has never had this! she'll be 29 next month! Any ideas???? I am just a little freaked.

 

[Wallaby]

I have no idea but I'll be keeping Miss Bella in my thoughts for sure! I hope it's something simple like an allergy or something... *thinks good thoughts*

 

[justsambam08]

Edema is just a collection of fluids in a cavity of the body. "Fluids" could mean blood, water, or lymph. Edema is a symptom of cardiac failure, but I think you'd know if her heart was failing by now.

Most likely, its some sort of allergic reaction to something that stung her or something like that. It could also be that she's stocking up, although I don't think I've ever hear of stocking up like that.

 

[DisneyCowgirl1901]

Thank you Wallaby

Justsambam08- She's lived in this area for nearly all the 16 years I've had her.... and it's HUGE it nearly takes up her entire Belly... I don't know what she'd have been bitten or stung by to cause such a huge mass. but if those are really the only reasons that she'd have edema, then I am pretty sure it have to be an allergic reaction. She seems to be acting fine.

Although you did say that it could be lymph fluid? She does have tumors (melanoma), could it be connected??? The vet did say that she could eventually have tumors on her lymph nodes (?sp)

 

[tealamutt]

this does sound like edema and there are a million reasons it could be going on so I'm glad you have the vet coming out. Please let us know how she's doing!

 

[Honeysuga]

Will keep her in my thoughts, poor girl! Let us know how it goes! You might want to keep a record of any changes and pictures of it incase anything changes before the vet gets there...

 

[DisneyCowgirl1901]

The vet was out and said there are only 2 reasons she would have such a large edema. The first is heart failure, which he does believe she has... you can see her pulse in her neck which is a sign as well.... but also he said that it could be a melanoma pressing on a lymph node causing the fluid to back up.....

Unfortunately if it's heart failure... she'll need to be put down soon... if it's the melanoma, she'll need to be put down as soon as I find out. The vet gave me naquasone paste and gave her an injection of Lasix... if the edema doesn't go away, then it's a melanoma.... if it goes away, it's heart failure. Either way, I don't have long, and very little time to decide.

 

[Honeysuga]

I am so sorry to hear about your unfortunate news.

 

[tealamutt]

I'm sorry about your bad news. Try to keep her as comfortable as possible and enjoy the time you have left together. This is always the worst part of horse ownership, you'll be in my thoughts.

 

[DisneyCowgirl1901]

thank you.... we had a real scare a few months ago, and have been preparing for this, but I can't seem to keep it together.

 

[Wallaby]

Oh, I am so so sorry. *hugs*

 

[thunderhooves]

aw! Lets us know when she has to be put down. maybe you should do it now, since you will have to do it either way. I wish you both peace!

 

[CecilliaB]

I am so so sorry to hear this sad news. I don't think you can be expected to "get it together" facing something like this. The best thing you can do is consult your vet, keep her comfortable as possible and when you see her quality of life declining make your decision.

I remember when I found out my dog (the best dog ever) Joseph had cancer in advanced stages. He was fine for a while and then it seemed like it only took a few days for his health to decline and he was no longer able to get himself up off his bed to go to the bathroom. It's so hard to be the one to make the decision to let them go, but it's also a merciful decision.

 

[thunderhooves]

hey, this is a great poem on this blog to help you understand and feel a bit better, and I know nothing can take the paint away but time.
She Who Runs With Horses: January 2010