Referral leads to an important and life changing discovery for one little terrier.

Chrome, a six-year-old Paint gelding, presented to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center Equine Emergency Service for evaluation of a non-healing wound on his right shoulder. Two weeks prior to his presentation, Chrome was injured by a stall latch, causing a fullthickness laceration on his right shoulder.

Given the degree and extensive nature of the hematoma, removal could potentially cause permanent paralysis. It was also possible that once the old hematoma was removed from the spinal cord, the Neurology team may not be able to control new arterial hemorrhaging, given the limited visual surgical field.