Any thoughts what this lump could be please?

Tiffany

Tiffany

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Following on from my post yesterday, I've taken some photos showing location and size of lump because I don't think I explained myself very well?

Any thoughts please?

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Thanks
 
what does it feel like? has she eaten anything chunky? (sounds obv but sitll)

could be a swollen gland, although its an odd position for it! as would think would be more to one side of the other for that..........

could be a melanoma, very common in grey horses!
 
Impacted guttural pouches would show higher up, sort of where "grass glands" come up. It's in a similar place to the thyroid, although perhaps a little lower than you might expect. This might be normal for her- without having a feel I couldn't say because I'd need to find out whether her thyroid is there as well!

As she is grey I wouldn't rule out a melanoma, although it's not a classic position, but they can occur anywhere.

'Tis a vet job I think!
 
compared to my boys thyroid, that lump is lower. could it be a reaction to an insect bite? i think the only answer is get vet to diagnose.
 
My Grey has a melanoma in that area although hers is more behind her cheek bone apparently it is a common position for them. The vet diagnosed my horse and advised unless it caused any problems to leave well alone.
 
Enlarged thyroid would be my best guess, but it's not possible to tell definitively from the photos;if it feels plum sized, is slightly to one side of the trachea and in non painful and slightly mobile then it's highly probable, and if she's well in herself I wouldn't worry about it. Benign enlargement of the thyroid is common in horses, but horses do not get thyroid problems; the enlarged gland does not produce more thyroid hormone.

Of course there are other less common things that it could be, and if it doesn't feel as I've described or she looks off colour at all I'd get your vet to have a look. A melanoma is a possibility but on its own that would be an unusual location and it would feel very different. The guttural pouches are no where near this lump, and there are no major lymph nodes in this location.
 
Thanks for your thoughts everyone!
Greedyguts, the lump is quite firm and slightly mobile. Have phoned vet, waiting for him to get back to me about a visit.
 
Melanoma quite a possibility I'm afraid. They can range from completely harmless to highly invasive. Has it come up quickly or slowly and do you think it is still getting bigger?

Not a nice part of the body for an invasive lump, there are too many delicate and essential structures in the neck.

Def a vet job!
 
Lump wasn't there about 14 days ago. Well if it was I didn't notice it so seems to have appeared quickly. Spoke to vet today and explained and he said he would be surprised if it was a melanoma but without seeing and feeling it he can't say for sure. I've e-mailed a photo and I've got an appointment to take her to him next week so, he can scan if he's not sure what it is. If, when he's looked at photo he thinks it's more urgent he'll let me know.
Fingers crossed it's nothing serious - I'm so worried
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dont be worried, just keep an eye on it, to check if it grows in size etc!

Let us know what the outcome is

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Thanks Lucy - can't help worrying and yes of course I'll let you know.
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Hi Tifanny,

It does seem to be in the thyroid cartilage area (ie Adam's apple), just been out + groped all my lot (yes, 3 am!!), Yep, they all have a lump there! (I learn more every day, thanks.)

Whether or not your mare has a problem is for your vet to say, however. I suspect your worries are unfounded, let's hope i'm right, all bests BS x
 
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