Austin needs your prayers. I found a large lump on his underside yesterday, that I have never seen before. I called the vet, but they were closed so I left a message. They called me back, and said they have no idea what it is, and if I want them to come look at him, to call back next week. I'm keeping a close eye on him. They said it could be cancer, but that I would have seen it earlier, and it wouldn't have gotten so big, so fast. Please keep Austin in your prayers, I'm so attached to him, I'm scared I'll lose him.
Here are photo's of the lump... kind of gross, so I'll just post the links.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...y/sd600059.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...y/sd600056.jpg
** UPDATE APRIL 10, 2007**
I mentioned earlier that I emailed my riding instructor/ equine teacher at my school. I went and talked to her today, and she said it looks to her like a hernia...which requires surgery. She gave me phone numbers to two more GOOD vets, who are about 4 hours away from here, but since the other people just blew me off, I have to try these people too. I called the best vet around, but he can't get here until next week, but he is going to come next week sometime. She also gave me the number of another vet, but I think it's the wrong number and she hasn't gotten back to me with the right one yet.
I'm getting really scared again now. This could be a big problem. If it is a hernia, it means his intestines are dropping into the lump, and if he eats something and it gets stuck, he will cloic..which could take his life if I dont notice it right away.
I'm getting anxious for SOMEONE to come out here and look at him, I hope it is nothing serious. A surgery on a horse can be very very expensive, and I only payed $1200 for my horse, and my parents said they are not going to let me pay more than that for a surgery. I'm not sure what will happen if he needs surgery.
Your thoughts and prayers are especially needed right now, please keep us in your prayers. Thank you.
**UPDATE**
Today it is starting to get larger on the other side. Poor guy, thank goodness it isn't bothering him, as far as I know.
I finally got ahold of our vet, and they said that since it wasn't bothering him that it should be ok. I told them exactly what was going on, and they said it was fine, and they would come out when they got time. So, I made an appointment to get all their shots, bloodwork, "sheath cleaning" (cleans out...that part ) and to have that lump looked at. The appointment isn't until May 8th.. I asked if I could just have a short appointment to JUST have the lump looked at, and they said they are so booked that they couldn't get me in..... so...
I called another vet that is farther away. I talked to the receptionist, and she said that they don't come this far to check on animals. She forwarded me to the vet... I told him everything I knew, and he said it sounds exactly like he just got kicked and it is bruising. He said since it isn't bothering him, and he's eatting and urinating fine, that he is ok.
I'm fairly reasured that this is not something serious, and he did just get kicked. The horses have been pretty fistey with each other lately, and it is a very good possiblity that this is the problem. I'll be keeping a close eye on him though to make sure nothing changes. Thanks for your prayers everyone!
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