42 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



HYGROMA OP THE WITHERS 



"While hygroma of the withers is essentially a condition 

 for surgical consideration, it is given a place in these 

 pages for the reason that the early symptoms are amen- 

 able to medical treatment. Hygroma of the withers has 

 not been given much attention in veterinary literature. 

 The reason for this is the fact that usually it is not diag- 

 nosed in its true character. Another possible reason why 

 this condition has received but slight attention at the 

 hands of writers is that the veterinary practitioner does 

 not usually meet with the condition in its original and 

 early form. 



The mark of distinction between a hygroma of the 

 withers and fistula of the withers is pus, or the absence 

 of it. Hygroma of the withers occurs most commonly in 

 young horses. The condition is, almost invariably, the 

 result of bruising from ill-fitting collars, and from blows, 

 contusions, or pressure. It makes its appearance in the 

 form of a smoothly rounded tumefaction on top of the 

 withers. In some cases it is apparent only on one side 

 of the median line. This tumefaction varies in size from 

 that of a small orange to the size of a football. On pal- 

 pation the tumefaction is of varying degrees of tenseness, 

 having the feeling of a "wind puff." There is at first 

 considerable local heat and slight tenderness under pres- 

 sure. If not treated, gradual enlargement follows. Hard- 

 ness develops in the margins of the swelling, pus forma- 

 tion follows, abscess and fistulous openings develop later. 



In rare eases the condition becomes stationary, or dis- 

 appears spontaneously. A fully developed hygroma, 

 sometimes of great size, frequently appears within so 

 short a period of time as twenty-four hours. The forma- 

 tion of pus usually requires from three weeks to as many 

 months. 



