Swelling/Lump under breast?????

[M1TOO]

Help - went to stable this morning and my 7 yr old mare has swelling under left front breast - what can this be??? it is about the size and shape of an elongated egg and hangs down - it is firm but not hard to the touch - one person on yard seems to think might be cyst type of thing or just water lump - anyone any ideas as I am tempted to call vet but people at farm seem to think I should monitor it for a day or too.....!!!:( :( I am concerned as I am totally in dark over this...

M1TOO

[Wally]

Is it a haematoma? It's a collection of blood under the skin usually caused by a knock or kick. They either go away by themselves or if there is infection present the vet can lance (or you can but it's messy!) then keep the wound open, like an abcess drain, until it heals from the inside out.

Keep an eye on it for a few days, if you are worrried call the vet.

[JumperGirl]

I think if you have doubt, or dont know what to do, then call the vet and tell them what it looks like, etc, and then they will say that they should see her, or to call them in a day or two to update them.

[Bebe]

My mare gets these occasionally. Best guess for her seems to be that it's an allergic reaction to her dried sweat. Cleaning the area thoroughly and ensuring that I always groom it properly has done the trick.

I put some tea tree & arnica (in a roll on from Robinsons) on the 2 she got and they went down in a couple of days. Now that I take care to make sure the area is clean she hasn't had any more.

If they don't go down, seem painful or have any heat in them I would definitely call the vet.

Amanda

[M1TOO]

Yard manager had a look last night - wonders if my girl been kicked but doubt it although she is bossy in field. More likely possibility seems to be that she may have landed awkwardly
after being jumped Mon/Tues and she has seem similar swelling on school horse although around the girth area. Suggests keeping an eye on it and not to ride her till swelling subsides - but let her know should it become enlarged or firmer. Will monitor situ. but could ring vet Fri if still concerned to make sure.

Unlikely to be due to swetting though as jumps very low and only exercised for 10 mins - I do groom her everyday and always check after riding her so no worries there.

Will keep you posted - and thanks for your comments everyone it does put your mind at ease when people are there to help...:)


kay.

[Bebe]

Forgot to mention, my mare also had a similar thing from a flybite (gets lumps all over if I don't keep her in a flysheet). It started off as the usual small bite lump but then swelled to about 2 inches in length and hung down a little. It was soft to the touch with no heat so I kept an eye on it. It hung around for around a couple of days and just as I was ready to call the vet, it disappeared.

Just another possibility.
Amanda

[M1TOO]

Good news - the swelling has subsided sufficiently now to cause me not to worry so the lump will be reabsorbed into her system says yard manager - did look worse than it actually appeared - so by Mon should be ok to ride her again.:D
No what you mean about the bites Amanda - being a black mare she seems to attract them and has had more this summer than any other horse at farm - but I know what these look like on her so am happy with diagnosis of swelling strain...!! much appreciate your input though!!!:D

kay