Camo and I just had a visit from a WONDERFUL vet. Unfortunately, the news was not what we were hoping for. Camo had a lump on his side when I rescued him. I was told "I had it looked at by a vet and they said it's fine as long as it doesn't get larger". So, I've been diligently watching the lump and it grew and grew the more Camo ate and drank. In addition to needing a thorough exam, the lump doubling in size overnight prompted a rush call to the vet. The vet says Camo is not 20, he is 27; the equivalentof an 80 9r 90 year old man. He does not have one dropped fetlock, but two. The fetlocks will get worse as weight is gained to the point where he won't be able to walk 😔. No boot can support 700+lbs and there are no treatments; it's degenerative. Camo has a heart murmur as well. His heart rate is 80 (a normal heart rate is between 32-36). Now the lump. The vet was unable to ultrasound it. With Camo's comorbidities, we decided we would stick a needle in it to see if it was an abscess. If it were a hernia surgery would be needed, surgery that his heart can't handle, and we would have put him down right then if that was the case. The needle was inserted and only blood came out determining it was a large hematoma and not an abscess or hernia. The vet assumed the hematoma grew with feed and water due to severe dehydration and malnutrition prior. The downside is that the hematoma is growing indicating heart failure 😔. The vet assured me Camo isn't in pain at the moment. I decided not to euthanize him today. If I see him unwilling or unable to eat and drink, or having difficulty moving, or heavy panting (indicating the heart failure has worsened), I will have the vet come out to put him down. She did warn me that there is a chance I could wake up to him dead from a heart attack. She also said not to expect him to live 6 more months. I'm so thankful that even though the prognosis is grim, he will not die alone in a field. We will love him, feed him, and take care of him until the time comes. The vet commended me for even caring enough to rescue him. She stated that so many people don't care and these beauties end up dying alone in pastures 😔. #paintedharts https://www.instagram.com/p/CBlSHi7HXth/?igshid=lvv6t282lwu5
