Swollen Glands or something else?

[lizziebell]

I'm going to call the vet in the morning but just wanted to see if anyone else had any similar experiences which may help.

My horse had been very fussy about working up in to the bridle all last week, then on Monday afternoon I noticed she had a large swelling on the offside of her face. The vet came out the following morning - it was still swollen, but had gone down considerably. He couldn't find the problem. Sedated her and put a gag on to have a real good look in her mouth. Said it could be a tooth root abcess - but unlikely as the swelling would be increasing and it would be hot to touch and very painfull. He thinks it could be just her age and a bit of teething where the roots are moving.

Anyway, the swelling has almost completely gone, but when I got home from work today I noticed she now has a swollen gland under her jaw, but just on the offside (same side as the other swelling) - the gland on the nearside isnt swollen at all. (I think it is the submandibular lymph node?).

Could it be like when I have a toothache, or a sore eye on the left side, my left gland under my jaw swells?

 

[shazza283]

a lot of the swelling and any rubbish/ bugs etc drains through the local lymph nodes and they respond and swell too - so yes v similar to you. So long a don't get hot and sore then don't worry - just keep an eye on.

 

[lizziebell]

Thanks Shazza. The swelling has gone down a bit this morning, and I've now spoken to the vet whose said similar to not worry and keep an eye on it if it gets bigger. Its not hot and isn't sore. Touch wood it'll go down in the next few days