Well This Sucks

Today was the big day to go back to riding - I religiously followed the vets instructions not to ride for two weeks. 
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Late last Thursday I got the biopsy results - the most recent growth wasn't proud flesh it was the return, very quickly, of the sarcoid. That left me reeling to be honest, even though I knew it was a likely result. I was hopeful too though. The surgery site was looking really good all along, better than the first time. It was clean and dry, just a little seam in his skin. I continued waiting patiently for the appointed day, then went to the barn today to resume our lessons and training. (As an aside, I had expected because of lack of room at the barn to have to take Rogo home the end of Dec., but an opening came up so we were able to stay and continue out three times a week lessons - huge for us.)
I got my tack and grooming tools from the tack room, got my riding boots on, put Rogo in the cross ties, took off his blanket, looked at the surgery site - and my heart dropped. A large piece of skin, about 1.5 in. in diameter, had broken away from covering the surgery site and under it was angry, bubbled, bleeding flesh. This looks much, much worse and much, much bigger than before the surgery two weeks ago. This is what it looks like:

Rogo had antibiotics for five days after surgery and in addition to really deeply bedded straw the barn owner had her working students add a layer of peat under the straw, to keep pressure off of the wound. They watched it when I wasn't there and I'm told it continued to look good.
The vet is coming Thur. morning. The dry, fairly quiet kind of sarcoid Rogo had can sometimes turn into the angry, aggressive kind if they are disturbed. The vet tells me this may be what happened, or it may be that the skin broke down.
I can't really think right now. I'm blind sided. I had no idea this could even happen so fast. When the surgery was done I thought two weeks off was being generous for a small incision. Now I don't see riding in the near future. The last lesson we had, a couple of hours before the surgery, was our best ever. It didn't cross my mind that it was our last for awhile...
Readers have been very kind and helpful. More on that later.

Comments

Yvonne said…
I am so sorry :( Hope you get it all sorted out quickly! Poor Rogo ..looks painful! Also, poor you ..a horse being out of commission sucks!
Oak Creek Ranch said…
Oh, Carol, I am so sorry! I completely get how you are reeling. Hopefully, you can kick it this time. Not being able to ride when it was going so well sucks. It just does.
Anonymous said…
Oh, dear - I hope the vet can quickly put things right . . .
I'm so sorry to hear your news. I hope you guys can beat this thing and get it taken care of soon. Nor riding does suck when you have the time and desire.
Giant bummer Carol. I feel so badly for you both. Sending positive thoughts your way - hoping vets can sort this out soon... thoroughly and permanently.
lynn said…
Oh Carol, the only thing i can say is my heart is with you ....keep thinking positive no matter how hard it is...the most important thing here is Rogo's health...you can continue riding another horse...Jess has been dealing with stuff like this for 3 years now(not a sarcoid, but stuff that can ruin Elvis's career). Just keep sending your love to Rogo. Horses also heal better at home where they are most relaxed. Elvis is on ulcer medicine now because he hated leaving home. I would get Rogo home to heal...just my thoughts. love you.
Sand. said…
Oh ick! Poor Rogo. That doesn't look it's much fun at all, for either of you. Sorry you were lucky enough to get an extension on your time at the barn, only to have this happen. : ( I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it all starts getting better.
Megan said…
Oh Carol, I'm sorry. Sometimes it just seems like one thing after another. Having your horse come off and on the injury list is much harder than if they are injured for a longer time. Sending best wishes to you and to Rogo for his recovery!
Jeni said…
I'd be muttering choice four letter words at this point. Heck I'll do it for you!

Hopefully it's not still sarcoidal and just fleshy not healing stuff.

I think I'd be taking him home too. No one is going to care for him like you.

Is there an option of moving Savannah to the boarding barn so you can continue lessons with her?
SprinklerBandit said…
Ugh. Fingers crossed for it not being a huge deal. :-/ Hope things improve for you.
TBDancer said…
I know the wound looks horrendous, but with luck it looks worse than it is. A setback, yes, but don't lose hope. As Kate says, I hope the vet gets Rogo back on the road to good health. And SOON. Fingers crossed, prayers your way.
Kelly said…
So sorry to hear about this Carol! Speedy recovery to Rogo.
juliette said…
Oh, Carol, I am so sorry. Please know I will be thinking good thoughts for sweetie pie Rogo and quick and perfect resolution from the vet. Take care and try not to worry. Keep the best boy comfortable and you too. I haven't kept up with what has been going on - I will read your older posts.
in2paints said…
I'm so sorry to hear that it has broken open!! I hope it looks worse than it really is and Rogo is on the mend soon. Lilly and I will be thinking about you!!
Jan said…
Carol, Oh, I'm so sorry about this setback! It does look bad in the photo. But you've got the vet coming out quite soon, and you'll get a treatment plan going, and I'm sure your resilient, wonderful Rogo will heal. And you can probably work out some great sessions you can do with him in hand, while he can't be ridden. But I'm so sorry you are reeling with this. I hope Rogo is feeling better soon and that you are too.
Val said…
Feel better soon, Rogo.
Lori Skoog said…
please keep us posted....
Kitanna said…
I hope he gets better :( Let me know what happens!
Carol said…
Thanks everyone. Your comments are comforting. I think he looked a little better when the vet was there yesterday. I should know more in a few days and biopsy of this one back in about 10 days.
Achieve1dream said…
I'm so sorry you're going through this! I don't know anything about sarcoids so can't really offer any advice, but you both are in my thoughts and prayers.