Saturday, July 30, 2016

Cody-Pooh

Meet one of the farm's horses:  Cody.
I think he's bipolar.  I'm the only one who rides him because remaining in the saddle can be challenging if you don't perceive the boogymen before he does.  I can break from the other riders and walk him through the woods; he can get tangled up in vines and patiently wait for me to cut him free; but hang on if he sees a shiny rock on the ground or a leaf flaps a little too menacingly. He's the elephant who fears the mouse.  He cracks me up, but I'm smitten with him.  He's my Cody-Pooh.
Unfortunately, this wingnut's knack for being startled with everything results in him throwing his head up, a lot.  Too much.  Months ago, he struck the top of his head so hard, the ensuing deep tissue bruise turned into a hard knot of calcified muscle tissue.  Calcinosis.  Pooh is forming bone tissue within the muscle responsible for holding his head up...not one you can use a scalpel and play around with.
He's already been to see a specialist two months ago at Auburn U.  We went back this week when it appeared his lump has been growing.
When the vet saw his trailering head bumper, she asked if I could fabricate him a permanent head protection.  A helmet??? Tommy and I are on it.  Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, we eagerly await good news from the biopsy, no neoplasia, no neoplasia---please!!!.  His CT Scan showed almost complete involvement of the muscle with the calcinosis.

He might make it into the textbooks.  This is apparently a very rare occurrence.  Oh joy.
The drive back and forth to Auburn vet school is now old hat for Cole.  
He has decided that the other two dogs must ride in steerage class in the backseat.  Not much for sharing lately.
Final parting shot of the Pooh-Bear, outstanding in his field: