swollen around teats - opinions please!

[Anna*]

My mare is a little swollen and sore around her teats - mastitis?. Since the vet closed 20 minutes ago (obviously!) and I haven't had a horse with this before, I'm thinking that an emergency call out isn't needed and that Monday will be fine? She's happy in herself but pulled a face when I touched it.

Thoughts please, lovely people!

 

[Tnavas]

Several things
Could she be in foal?
Is she getting on in years? Cushing horses can produce milk
Any chance she's been bitten by bugs?

I'd not stress, see how things go over the weekend. She's not likely to have mastitis as that generally happens to nursing animals.

 

[WandaMare]

My mare's teats have been slightly swollen the last few days too, I'm thinking its down to midges as I've noticed a few around. I've just bought mine in so I'm going to check in the morning and hopefully the swelling will have gone down.

I thought she had mastitis a few years ago but it just turned out to be a skin infection so vet gave me shampoo and some cream.

 

[Anna*]

God, I hope she's not pregnant! That would scupper my plans somewhat! ;-) I got her from my friend last summer when her foal was weaned and she's just turned 10. Thank you so much for getting back. I'll see how she is in the morning. she is due her flu jab so I'll get her checked and jabbed next week. Thank you again.

 

[3Beasties]

How long have you had her and how is her weight?

 

[Anna*]

I've had her about 8 months and her weight has been fairly static. The spring grass has really started coming through here and she did have a bit of an upset gut at the start of the week. She is quite sensitive to lush grass.

 

[Spring Feather]

Doubtful it would be mastitis. I'd imagine it's a reaction to bug bites. Do you have a photo of them?

 

[Anna*]

I don't. I'll get some in the morning if they're still swollen. Just having a panic that she's somehow been knocked up!

 

[Anna*]

It could be bug bites - they've certainly stared appearing this week. Poor pony!

 

[Spring Feather]

Yes get a photo and post it. I'm sure it's absolutely nothing to worry about, but many of us breeders on here are quite used to looking at teats so will say if we see anything out of the ordinary :smile3:

 

[Anna*]

Yes get a photo and post it. I'm sure it's absolutely nothing to worry about, but many of us breeders on here are quite used to looking at teats so will say if we see anything out of the ordinary :smile3:

That's lovely of you. Thank you. I'll get one first thing.

 

[Cowpony]

My mare had this the first year I had her and she produced what looked like milk even though she wasn't in foal. I put her on Oestress and that seemed to sort it out. The next year she didn't get the symptoms and I didn't use a supplement. I wondered if it was because she came to a yard with lots of geldings (she was a brood mare in her first life).

 

[putasocinit]

Cold hose teats, cool water help with swelling and soothe bug bites, lather with bug cream and if mine i would give bute for a couple of days to help, then if no better by monday speak to vets for a visit

 

[Anna*]

Cold hose teats, cool water help with swelling and soothe bug bites, lather with bug cream and if mine i would give bute for a couple of days to help, then if no better by monday speak to vets for a visit

This was my plan thank you for your advice!

 

[neddymad]

I had this with a little mare I had. The vet said that a rise in protein in the grass can cause this especially if they have foaled before. We even had her scanned as she was producing milk.

 

[Fides]

Cold hose teats,

OMG! Watch out for flying hooves if you do that...

Has she been with a stallion since the foal was born? They go through a VERY fertile stage just after the foal is born

 

[Anna*]

OMG! Watch out for flying hooves if you do that...

Has she been with a stallion since the foal was born? They go through a VERY fertile stage just after the foal is born

No, thankfully! Went away to stud so no stallions about the proteins in the grass is interesting. We're on old dairy grass and she often finds it too rich. I'm the only person I know trying to find a livery with dreadful grazing ;-)

 

[putasocinit]

Why watch out for the flying hooves, all of my horses i can do anything with, its about whose in charge, i am surprised how many horses seem to mess people around, anyway if you have the hose on without a squirter, so it is a nice pressure and run it over the teats mare should be fine, if you put you finger on the end of the hose and make it sharp you could get resistance because it will be uncomfortable.

 

[Fides]

Why watch out for the flying hooves, all of my horses i can do anything with, its about whose in charge, i am surprised how many horses seem to mess people around, anyway if you have the hose on without a squirter, so it is a nice pressure and run it over the teats mare should be fine, if you put you finger on the end of the hose and make it sharp you could get resistance because it will be uncomfortable.

It was a jovial post... I sure wouldn't like someone cold hosing my boobs - soft of firm stream....

 

[putasocinit]

Bet you would if it was a very hot day and you were enjoying yourself by the pool, lol.

Anyway we are people, horses are horses and cold hosing a horse in this situation is to relieve pain and inflammation so its a case of it needs, should be done. Would be different if one decided at -1c to take the hosepiepe and squirt the poor horse up its sheath just for the fun of it, then they should get kicked by the flying hooves.

Think of the racehorses that are swum when its freezing outside and their wet tails get icicles on after swimming, and thats for their health.

 

[amandaco2]

It is rare but mastitis can occur in barren mares. So keep an eye on it closely as it can progress very quickly!