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February
2007 Newsletter
Dexter is Fine!!
Thanks to those who worked with us
on diagnosing Dexter's malady on the left side of his face.
Bloodwork, two oral speculum exams by two different people,
"Wellness Cocktail"s and
Dynamite®
SOD™
later.... All that was found was a bone-spur at the site of the
"lump".
Dr. Mende appreciated a diverticulum
in the gum line as the possible source for infection if food were to
collect in it. Dr. Bruce asserted that he had probably bumped his
head and the bump would go away in time. The bump is still there,
but there is no swelling or sign of infection, so I will leave it
alone and put
Dynamite®
Wound Balm™
after he sheds out his winter coat, at the site of the lump.
 Enjoy
this rare but excellent oblique skull shot, remarkable at the site - orally, but that she could feel
the bump clearly, and perhaps it could be a sinus tumor.
The only way to diagnose a tumor is
with x-ray, and
CBC's will show some indicators of suppressed immune
functioning or challenged/immune response. I chose the digital
x-rays for their immediate results, the ability to share them with
you... or another vet for consult, when appropriate. Also, digital
x-rays only have 10% of the radiation of the film machines. They are
much higher resolution.
I had CBC's run twice on Dexter, and the first one had lowered
RBC.
I reminded the vet that the horse was still tranquilized and his resps were at 5 bpm when she drew the blood. She didn't think that
would be significant. For comparison, I had a second CBC drawn the
way that
Regan always says to do (after you get the horse's wind up, not
after long period of standing - oxygenate the blood first). The
second CBC was all WNR (within normal range). I do feel that lowered
resp. rate bore an impact on the first CBC. No vet agrees with me,
but I still think it's significant. |
