Lumpy throat

[WelshMisfit]

Hi,
Wonder if anyone can help me on this subject. My friend has just bought a new horse and a couple of days after arriving at the yard, she's developed lumps in her throat and under her chin. She's not unwell in herself, eating and drinking plenty, no runny nose and her eyes are nice and clear. She's stabled at the moment because my friend is worried about turning her out to the fields with the other horses just in case she gives them something nasty. The poor mare is desperate to go out though. :( Any ideas anyone???

[Ross]

Personally I'd call the vet. At the very least, is there someone knowledgeable that you can ask for advice? It's difficult to give any proper advice without seeing the problem.

Ross

[lisae]

My colt developed the same thing, there were soft lumps between his jawbones. I was petrified it was strangles but he was totally clear of any other symptoms. Over the course of the summer I've noticed he only gets them when his fly mask is not worn, so I have assumed it's insect bites.

But if this mare has arrived from somewhere and been traveling, I'd ask the vet to rule out low grade strangles - she might not have a full case but could spread it to others.

[~* Fab Filly *~]

this may just b glands. when they eat alot of sweet lick its or rich grass these sum times cum up, get it checked out but its normaly nothing 2 worry about! :D

[capalldubh]

Hmm, well, having come through the strangles thing, I think you would know if he had it - the lumps are pretty well the last thing to arrive, after the lethargy, lack of appetite/sore throat/ coughing and high temperature. It is possible to get low grade strangles if they've had it before, so it might be worth checking with the vet.

However, when we were getting over the strangles thing and had had clear swabs etc, one day I found a few lumps under her jaw in a similar place - asked the vet to check when he came to swab, he had a quick poke around and said they were just salivary glands, and they did sometimes feel lumpy.

So, on balance, probably best to phone vet at least - they can give a lot of advice over the phone.

[cazrider]

Interesting one. Sennie often has lumps in the places you describe, when he comes in after a night on grass. He's absolutely fine, and I've come across this with previous horses under the same circumstances. However, strangles is a hideous illness, and although it's unlikely as your friend's mare is well in all other ways, as she's new to her and the yard, I'd call the vet just to be sure.

[girl-friday]

My horse is also like this at the moment. I bought him a little over 2 weeks ago and bought him to his new paddock in the village I keep him. Before I had him he was on very little grass and mostly ate hay, and not much of that cos he was stressed. Now he has good grazing and is more settled as he has his own paddock and his glands have come up. I was worried sick at first but he is showing no other signs and is certainly not distressed. I know what you mean bout being worried though, I was petrified that he had the dreaded lurgy.