Lump on side of face - any ideas?

[PJW_11]

Last night when I was giving my boy a cuddle in the stable I noticed a very hard bone like lump on one side of his face (see photo).

Has anyone else ever had anything like this show up and have any idea what it could be? After googling I am worried it might be tooth / gum infection but I couldn’t really find any images that looked like this back this up.

He did have a few little fly bites on his face yesterday so also wondered if it could be a reaction. But would it feel really hard like bone?

It doesn’t appear to be affecting him in anyway - he’s eating, drinking, doesn’t react when I touch it and he went very nicely when I rode him yesterday.

I have the vet booked to come out in a few days but just curious to find out what others think is might be. He’s just turned 5.

Thanks!

 

[Cragrat]

Tooth? A diastema causing cheek inflammation?

 

[Fransurrey]

Looks like the sinus. Can your vet not come sooner?

 

[Carrottom]

I would send the picture to your vet.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Tooth abscess/inflammation..have you noticed a change in eating style or quidding?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Looks nearly exactly like the tooth root abscess mine had not too long ago. It never bothered him really, but it's best to take care of it ASAP. Mine went to the clinic and had the tooth extracted and all is well.

 

[PJW_11]

Looks nearly exactly like the tooth root abscess mine had not too long ago. It never bothered him really, but it's best to take care of it ASAP. Mine went to the clinic and had the tooth extracted and all is well.

Thank you for this. I was worried it was something to do with teeth as had heard the removal can be be costly and come with complications.

Would you mind sharing how much it roughly cost you and how long until you were riding again after extraction (if ridden)? Just so I can prepare myself!

Thank you!

Polly

 

[PJW_11]

Tooth abscess/inflammation..have you noticed a change in eating style or quidding?

Thanks for your reponse. No he is eating normally at the moment and no quidding. Not other signs except the swelling at the moment!

 

[PJW_11]

I would send the picture to your vet.

Thank you I have sent a picture to my vet now. She said could be a number of things… trauma to the face, infected bite, a thorn or tooth related. She said as long as he is happy in himself there was no need to bring his vet appointment forward…

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Thank you for this. I was worried it was something to do with teeth as had heard the removal can be be costly and come with complications.

Would you mind sharing how much it roughly cost you and how long until you were riding again after extraction (if ridden)? Just so I can prepare myself!

Thank you!

Polly

I am in Germany, but the extraction was roughly 1200€ if I factor in previous exams by the home vet, x-rays/diagnosis, and stay at the clinic, then it was about 1900€ all in. My insurance covered some of it (the actual operation).

It was very straight forward with my horse. I dropped him off on a Sunday afternoon, extraction was Monday, and I picked him up on Wednesday. I was gently/very lightly riding him about a week and a half later. He was never uncomfortable. The vet did have to come twice and change the dental insert while the hole healed up. I guess overall I ended up spending 2400€ or so.

Anything can come with complications. If it happens, it happens, just like any procedure. This one was straightforward for my horse.

I'd get him an appropriate ASAP. It's not bothering him or worsening now, but it could. I, personally, rather not wait around until my horse is in noticeable pain.

 

[TheOldTrout]

My mare has a lump in a similar position, it comes and goes and changes shape. It's food caught between two of her back teeth. There is a turn around of food caught there, hence the changes in shape. When did he last see a dentist?