Help! What could this be *with pic*?

[1928sky]

Noticed today, a soft swelling under my horses jaw. It is only on the right side and seems to be quite painful for her on prodding it. She has no other symptoms and is fine in herself. Anyone no what it could be thanks:

 

[stencilface]

An abscess? A horse I had had a couple of these, they burst and were pretty nasty to clean but he healed fine and never had any more.

 

[mattilda]

Does sound like it could be an abcess. If it's painful for her i would get the vet out.

 

[scotsmare]

I would go with it either being an infected bite or an absess - either hot poultice it and see if it pops or get your vet - either way if it is infected you'll need antibs so vet might be best option regardless.

 

[mintaka04]

Strangles abcess?
Dental abcess?

If it's sore on prodding, check the horse's temperature (elevated above 38 deg.C if infection somewhere) and call the vet.

 

[Hedgewitch13]

A mare that's out 24/7 at our yard had an abcess on the side of her jaw - probably an infected bite. Her owner popped it with a plait unpicker (euwww), drained it daily and it's drying up well now - all swelling has gone. Personally I think I would have let the vet deal with it myself!

 

[1928sky]

Thanks, after posting I decided on the vet- so vet is comming out later this afternoon. I was very tempted to prick it and see what came out but thought best leave it to the proffesional!

 

[hellybelly6]

Leave it to the vet, last thing you want is an infected, unhealing wound.

 

[wizzi901]

my loan horse had this! he always had a tiny hard lump but it flared up a few months ago! (did worry me that it was strangles but he was swabbed and clear!!) turned out to be an abscess, it burst, and he had course of antibiotics and is fine!