strange swelling - any ideas?

[annamica]

Poor Alby came in from the field last night with a huge swelling under his eye that extended down to his cheek. The swelling is rock hard and feels almost like bone (not a soft tissue swelling) and caused the skin under his eye to be very taught.

Even though it has gone down a bit today it is still very obvious and still rock solid - when the yard owner brought him in she thought that he had broken his cheek bone (don't know the real name for it - sorry) but he is happily eating, it doesn't seem to bother him and you can poke and prod it without any reaction from him. There is no evidence of a wound, insect bite or kick mark.

Anyone ever heard of anything similar or know what it could be/what caused it?

[belle]

I'm not sure but I think that bony type lumps are often caused by kicks. The lumps take a while to heal as its on a bony area instead of a fleshy one. If its on the face, you may want to call the vet as it may take a while to heal, and could be uncomfortable for the horse when you put his headcollar on.

[annamica]

Thanks Belle

I spoke to the vet and he said to just keep am eye on it and call him on Monday if the swelling hadn't gone down (I have used this vet for years and know that had he been concerned he would have been straight out to see him)

Just haven't a clue what caused it. It really isn't bothering him at all, although it looks very odd. It looks as though he has been kicked in the face but he is in a field on his own (he could have put his head over the fence into the next field though)

I've just never seen anything like it! I am going to the yard to see him in a minute so hope it has gone down otherwise I will be in a real panic!!

All my previous horses have been clumsy - must be something about me!!

[lisae]

I've heard that sometimes a tear duct can get impacted by debris or minor injury swells it shut and causes a big swelling, the vet can take a tiny cat-size catheter and flush it out. Just another thought....