Lump on horses lip suddenly grew and burst...

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Jericho

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Our 23 yr old pony has had a small lump on the corner of his mouth ever since we have had him (over a year) and doesn't seem to cause him any bother at all even though it is a the corner of his mouth and the bit must touch it. However it increased in size by about a third yesterday (pony hasnt been ridden for 4 days so nut sure why) and when I examined it I noticed there was a small scab at top which I ran my finger over. A small amount of dark grey pus came out and it reduced back to normal size. Same thing this morning and this evening. I have been washing with warm water and putting antibiotic cream on. Pony isn't bothered at all even when I squeeze it and the pus comes out (sorry tmi!). Anyone have any ideas what this is? I have seen yellow pus but never grey, dark pus before and I find it strange that it suddenly has started growing and pus coming out
 
What colour is the pony? If he's grey, it's possible it could be a melanoma. I'm sure I've read somewhere that they can burst. Pus can be black though.
 
Thanks lhotse I didn't think about that although I did wonder if it was cancerous. He is a coloured pony although his face is brown but after googling it it does sound like it might be a melanoma particularly as the pus or melanin coming out is brown. Bit scared now, firstly for him and secondly as I have obviously been coming in contact with the pus and worried that cancerous cells might transfer to me - can that happen? I sound stupidly naive but just not sure!!!
 
I don't think there would be any risk to yourself from coming into contact. As for the pony, most melanomas are harmless, and they aren't just confined to greys. It would be a good idea to have a chat with your vet about it. It's possible that the action of the bit has irritated it.
 
It could also be a subcutaneous cyst, I had a horse with one that would occasionally 'bust' and it often had a small hard lump in the middle come out which was a old hair follicle.
 
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