Thoughts please

[doodle]

I posted a couple of days ago about missing an injury on Robin. Judging the behaviour it was really hurting him. It wasn’t until I cut the ride short and untacked that I found a swelling on his jaw right under the noseband. Clearly sore to touch. Eating fine and as 5.30 at night I didn’t phone the vet. Thinking I would get vet in morning.

Next morning down a bit but still a little sore to touch But not getting the reaction of the day before. by evening swelling down but he has a diagonal line where the swelling was. I have tried to show on photo but not terribly clear.

I am alternating between thinking it is still sore by him throwing head and very little reaction making me wonder if it is slight stroppy “I want my hay, get off” rather than pure pain.

He is still eating. What is my next step? It seems over kill to get the vet but I’m worrying he has a hairline fracture going by how sore it was to touch on Monday. But if a fracture would he be eating? I won’t ride until the swelling totally gone.

 

[Roxylola]

I think generally not eating is basically end of the line for horses, I get that it's his face, but external pressure might hurt much more tha eating.
I'd want it looked at, what you described was pretty extreme

 

[doodle]

Right I shall ring vet now. Thanks

 

[doodle]

Argh they can’t send a vet unless an emergency. Have emailed with photos.

 

[Roxylola]

You've done all you can then. Just keep an eye on it from there in that case and be mindful of any changes

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Is it hard or soft to the touch?

Could be anything from a fly bite to a skin abcess. If he is eating fine then don't stress about it, it's not an emergency so the vet will be out when they can. If it was a fracture it would be significantly more swollen and he wouldn't really let you touch it.

 

[meleeka]

My first thought was fly bite. We’ve had a lot more horse flies here than normal and my mare had a huge swelling on her side the other day, which I’m guessing was from a horse fly. It look a couple of days to fully go away.

 

[doodle]

It’s hard. I had wondered about fly bite but the line is too definite. The reaction to bridle and riding on Monday was extreme but much less the next day.

 

[Gloi]

Maybe a wasp sting

 

[meleeka]

It’s hard. I had wondered about fly bite but the line is too definite. The reaction to bridle and riding on Monday was extreme but much less the next day.

I think a fracture would be much less of a line and more swelling. Im trying to upload a photo but the bite my mare had had a definite edge to it (albeit rounder) it was also hard

 

[meleeka]

 

[tristar]

if it feels warm i would bathe it with cold compresses of salt water, then put on savlon

 

[doodle]

Thanks everyone. Vet has come back to me saying rest for a few days or she can come out Friday.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I think it’s a bit off the vet won’t come out...mine came out to diagnose conjunctivitis when I rang about gunky eyes...and is doing all normal work..not just emergencies..

 

[meleeka]

I think it’s a bit off the vet won’t come out...mine came out to diagnose conjunctivitis when I rang about gunky eyes...and is doing all normal work..not just emergencies..

Eyes are quite different though and usually treated as more urgent than routine.