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  Discussion on Goiter??
Author Message
New Member:
pjbarker

Posted on Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 10:05 pm:

Hello,
A 10+/- year old mare belonging to my friend has developed a lump in her throatlatch area. I noticed it tonight for the first time when she came in from the pasture. An Arab gelding I rode when I was younger had the same type of lump and my dad called it a "goiter". We treated it with iodized salt mixed in with his daily grain ration which decreased the size of the lump. Would this therapy, along with removing the mare from fee range pasture grazing be advised?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:19 am:

Hello Pamela,
First let's be sure we are talking about the same sort of thing, where exactly is the lump Pamela and how big is it. For help with identification check out the imagles at Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses.

Is there a reason to suspect iodine deficiency in your area and do you have a trace mineral block available as the only source of salt for the horse? Note that iodine deficiency and goiter are actually hypothyroid states and not hyperthyroidism, even though the thyroid gets bigger it is not producing adequate hormone.
DrO
New Member:
pjbarker

Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 12:31 pm:

Thanks for posting a reply so quickly. The lump is about the size of a large walnut and is located in the throatlatch just behind the right side jaw. This AM I noted a smaller lump (about 1/2 the size of a walnut) on the left side that did not present itself yesterday.

I examined this mare with a hard eye this morning at noted the following:
(1-5 Scale with 1 being poor and 5 being excellent)
- Coat condition: 3.5 - 4
- Gum color and condition: 4
- Weight: 4 (she is on free choice, lush pasture. There could be a very minute amount of weight loss)
- Overall demeanor: 3 (There just doesn't seem to be as much "spark" in her eye as usual)

Yes, there is a trace mineral block available as the only source of salt, however, there is no evidence any of the mares in that field are utilizing it. No, I haven't heard of other horse owners in the area having this problem. However, the Arab I mentioned before, was the only horse with a goiter out of a string of approximately 25 other geldings and the only horse I've ever known to develop this condition.

My vet is coming out tomorrow and I will have her examine this mare. Would it be prudent to take her off pasture for the remainder of the day until the vet arrives tomorrow? If so, what should I feed her? We have just purchased our hay for the year and have grass, mostly grass w/ some alfalfa, 1/2 grass 1/2 alfalfa or mostly alfalfa hay to offer. What about founder? I read through the hyperthroidism articles last night and noted chronic lameness and founder is a characteristic. Is this something I would need to be aware of?

I'll read through the hypothyroid information to familiarize myself with that condition as well.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 6:33 am:

Pam did you check the article out and match up your swelling with the images? It does not remain clear that you are seeing an enlarged thyroid.

I do not see a reason to remove her from pasture.

Before we worry about the possible problems with hyperthyroidism, a very rare disease in adult horses, let's worry about a accurate diagnosis.
DrO
New Member:
pjbarker

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:39 am:

Thank you for your response.
My vet is coming out today. I trust that she will be able to accurately diagnose the problem.
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