Update on what is it (funny lump on pony's gum)

[buzzles]

Well had the vet out and he shook his head and said he'd never seen anything like it. It's not an abcess or infected tooth, it's something he has only ever seen in elderly dogs. It's a growth, probably a melanoma as the pony is grey. He said to leave it as it is for the moment unless it gets any bigger. It's not causing the pony and pain or discomfort and will only start to become a problem when he starts wearing a bit. (Pony is only 2 so that won't be for another 2 years). A biopsy will then be taken and if and when it needs to be removed he'll either have to be sedated and have it chopped off and catherised or else knocked out with a GA and have it dug out. Which method will depend on whether it is benign or not.
Anyway here is a picture of it

 

[Enfys]

Well at least you have some idea now. It's good that it isn't affecting him, but it does look quite 'angry' doesn't it?

Personally,I would prefer to have the biopsy done now, if it is cancerous, in two years time the damage could be worse.

 

[Maesfen]

I agree with Enfys and if you wait until he's bitted you will be wasting time while he has treatment when it could all be done before you start, healed over and hopefully, no trouble at all.
Don't want to alarm you, but one of our terriers had a similar lump, within the week it had grown so much it was restricting her breathing and because of the nature of it (the lump) she had to be put down; so I would want to be seriously considering treatment now or at least look at the possibility of 'scooping' it out now.

 

[buzzles]

I did ask the vet whether it would be better to have a biopsy done now but he said leave it unless it gets bigger and as it's only appeared two weeks ago it would be better to leave it settle. It actually doesn't look as angry now, it's not as red and actually looks a bit smaller. The vet said the pony may have aggravated it and that's why it's so red and inflammed in that picture. He's going to monitor it over the next few months and then probably have a biopsy taken when he sees how it's progressing. The vet has to come up every 2-3 weeks at the moment anyway to change my mares' bandage so he'll be able to check it regularly.