Lump on neck- when to call the vet?

[Michen]

Silly basic question and I'm obviously not adverse to calling the vet (in fact it's been quite strange not seeing or speaking to her since torres) but little Welsh pony came in from field with one large lump on his neck. It was only really visible when he turned his head to the right (it's on the left side) and about the size of half an egg if that makes sense. Assuming fly bite gone bad, seemed to cause him no issue or pain. Next day he had several similar but smaller so definitely seemed to be flies. Fly rug now on but a 5 days ish later said bump hasn't gone away and if anything seems a little bigger and more hard.

He has a two tiny bumps on him since I got him a few months ago (could have been there years) which the vet checked and said they were from fly bites that have formed into something or other (can't remember the name) and totally harmless though you could inject with steroids at the time to make sure they go away. Wondering now whether to get said injection and vet- he will be for sale in a few months and could do without him having it even if it is "harmless". Thoughts? It does concern me that it hasn't gone down.

 

[be positive]

I would just try some antihistamines first and see if they settle down, I had a horse that reacted badly to fly bites the first year he was here, one under the saddle was huge, they soon went with a few days of piriton and keeping him covered up he then seemed to become less sensitive and the reaction when he did get bitten was far less extreme, I think they develop a bit of immunity over time as they get used to their new environment.
Giving steroids is not without risk especially in ponies with the possibility of laminitis being brought on, far worse than a few minor bumps.

 

[Michen]

I would just try some antihistamines first and see if they settle down, I had a horse that reacted badly to fly bites the first year he was here, one under the saddle was huge, they soon went with a few days of piriton and keeping him covered up he then seemed to become less sensitive and the reaction when he did get bitten was far less extreme, I think they develop a bit of immunity over time as they get used to their new environment.
Giving steroids is not without risk especially in ponies with the possibility of laminitis being brought on, far worse than a few minor bumps.

Good idea- any idea how many antihistamines? He can have some of mine!!!