Swollen Gland

[Mista C]

Hi, my 19 year old Welsh Section D gelding developed a swollen submandibular gland 1 month ago. Only the right hand side gland is swollen, the swelling is hard.

The vet came and took a blood test, swab for strangles and a sample from the swelling. He expected to draw puss from the swelling but all that came out was blood. He commented that this wasn't what he thought he would see.

The blood test and strangles results have been returned as negative. He is perfectly happy in himself, no runny nose, cough, temperature, etc.

I also had the dentist out as I noticed that on the same side he sticks his head right out when eating his feed and packs his food into the area between his gum and his cheek. I regularly pull grass balls out as his cheek looks like a hamster. The dentist saw no problems apart from him not chewing correctly due to hooks on the other side of his mouth, which were filed off. He is still packing his food and still sticking his head out when chewing. This was also mentioned to the vet who didn't think that this was the issue with the swollen gland.

He has just finished a course of antibiotics, this has made no difference to the swelling. The horse is still perfectly happy.

Any ideas anyone?!

 

[Tnavas]

Did the equine dentist use a gag to inspect the teeth? Many years ago I had problems with a horse had trouble with food despite regular dental care. I moved many miles away and had to get a new dentist. This one used a gag and found a far back molar growing up into the roof of his mouth. After the tooth overgrowth had been removed the horse came right.

My mare has enlarged glands below her jaw but no infection. Been like that for 6years.

 

[oscarwild]

My mare a few years ago developed swollen glands under her jaw. It turned out to be an allergy that was causing the swelling in the glands. We have subsequently moved areas and her glands have returned to normal and she hasnt had an allergy issue since.

 

[Hen]

My mare a few years ago developed swollen glands under her jaw. It turned out to be an allergy that was causing the swelling in the glands. We have subsequently moved areas and her glands have returned to normal and she hasnt had an allergy issue since.

My mare has been displaying a soft swelling under the jaw for at least the last 48 hours and has resisted being bitted. Two small harder buttons above indicate fly strike of some level and no discharge or other sinister sign. She had 6 hours turnout today without a grazing muzzle for the first time this year and no obvious symptoms as a result so I can't put it down to a grass allergy. Must be insect-related. But she's been a lot perkier in herself the last 24 hours and I am simply ticking her over, without where possible recourse to a bit.