Embedded Files
WARNING **Graphic Images Below**
WARNING **Graphic Images Below**
I first met Mingo, a beautiful old lady in her late 20s, in January 2023. Mingo had had her share of health issues during her life, but in the last few months she had been a bit more subdued and developed a swelling on her forehead. The swelling started small and remained this size for some time, but towards the end of 2022, there was a rapid increase in size.
I first met Mingo, a beautiful old lady in her late 20s, in January 2023. Mingo had had her share of health issues during her life, but in the last few months she had been a bit more subdued and developed a swelling on her forehead. The swelling started small and remained this size for some time, but towards the end of 2022, there was a rapid increase in size.
By the time I first examined Mingo, the swelling was the size of my fist! After a general health check and blood tests (which all came up beautifully clear, great for such an old horse), we took Xrays, and drained a large volume (over 200ml!!) of fluid from the cystic growth. This fluid was sent to the laboratory to be analysed. The pathologist did not know what to make of the fluid, it was something they had never seen before, but the good news was, that there were no cancer cells present.
By the time I first examined Mingo, the swelling was the size of my fist! After a general health check and blood tests (which all came up beautifully clear, great for such an old horse), we took Xrays, and drained a large volume (over 200ml!!) of fluid from the cystic growth. This fluid was sent to the laboratory to be analysed. The pathologist did not know what to make of the fluid, it was something they had never seen before, but the good news was, that there were no cancer cells present.
Unfortunately, the cyst filled up with fluid rapidly again and Mingo's owner felt she was uncomfortable with the pressure building against her head. I was unsure that we could remove the cyst/growth due to the large size, but Mingo's mum gave the green light to go ahead with the surgery (knowing that it may not have a good outcome).
Unfortunately, the cyst filled up with fluid rapidly again and Mingo's owner felt she was uncomfortable with the pressure building against her head. I was unsure that we could remove the cyst/growth due to the large size, but Mingo's mum gave the green light to go ahead with the surgery (knowing that it may not have a good outcome).
It was a big surgery, and I could hardly believe how deep the cyst had invaded into Mingo's skull, causing a big dent in the front of her forehead. It was not all plain sailing, with a lot of aftercare required, but Mingo's owner has been nothing but amazing in her diligent cleaning, flushing and follow up checks. She reports that even immediately after surgery, the old girl was feeling frisky and happy again without all the pressure on her head.
It was a big surgery, and I could hardly believe how deep the cyst had invaded into Mingo's skull, causing a big dent in the front of her forehead. It was not all plain sailing, with a lot of aftercare required, but Mingo's owner has been nothing but amazing in her diligent cleaning, flushing and follow up checks. She reports that even immediately after surgery, the old girl was feeling frisky and happy again without all the pressure on her head.
Mingo is now 30 years young, fully healed and living her best life! I feel privileged to have been part of Mingo's journey and am in awe of her owner's commitment to leaving no stone unturned.
Mingo is now 30 years young, fully healed and living her best life! I feel privileged to have been part of Mingo's journey and am in awe of her owner's commitment to leaving no stone unturned.
Page updated
Report abuse