|
|
Discussion on Itchy Ear & Sinus, Enlarged Thyroid
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
jjet
|
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 - 12:40 pm:
Sorry I had this in the wrong area. I thought that since there were no lesions or hair loss with this intermittent (not seasonal) condition, it might belong in a different area.
This is a 23 year old mare who is in relatively good condition, considering that she doesn't get much exercise. Along with six other horses she is on 24/7 turnout with constant free choice access to a mare motel. They are blanketed in the winter. All are wormed regularly with ivermectin with occasional rotation with other wormers.
Her problem: her left ear and face. It is an itchy area that she rubs on the fence panels. I called it an intermittent problem but really I should say ongoing because she always carries that ear tipped out to the side and down more than the other ear. I just seems to bother her more sometimes than others. Right now she is rubbing in a pattern: around the base of her ear on the head, then the eye area, then the caudal and maxillary sinus areas.
The ear has a remnant amount of old crustiness inside the base, but there is no sign of fresh oozing.
Additionally, she has a small lump on that side of her neck (appears to be her thyroid, as best as I can tell from your diagrams). No fever.
We have never found ticks on our horses in the 12 years we have had horses here.
She does not show symptoms of either hypo or hyperthyroidism as described in your articles. I am thinking that she may have an infection in her sinuses which affects her ear and also causes her thyroid area to enlarge a little. Is that possible? She does not, however have any nasal drainage or coughs. Does that rule out sinus infection?
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 - 6:54 pm:
Hello Jan,
A more common indication of sinus infection is nasal drainage and I have not seen a sinus infection that had pruritus as a symptom.
I would be looking carefully in that ear (requires heavy sedation) and if that is OK consider biopsy of the skin in the area and radiography or the skull for signs of middle ear infection.
Symptomatic therapy would consist of antihistamines and/or glucocorticoids (steroids).
DrO
|
|
|
