What is this swelling? Any Ideas?!!

kazg07

kazg07

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 May 2009
Messages
141
Visit site
I removed my horses rug yesterday to ride and discovered that he had a large area which was swollen just beneath his chest and this appeared to extend to the girth area. This appeared to be full of fluid as some was seeping out and causing sticky areas in his coat. The vet came out to him as was quite baffled. Said he thought it was some sort of reaction to something but he didnt know what ! He is out 24 7 at present and there is nothing he can injure himself on in the field. No sign of any cuts, etc. The skin is quite raw and he is obviously uncomfortable when he walks as is just taking small steps. There are folds in the skin as it is so swollen underneath. I have never seen anything like it so any thoughts /experiences anyone may have would be great!

gizmochest.jpg
 
I have seen similar following a fall xc, the horse stretched almost doing the splits, the skin was not broken, it took a long while to go down as all the fluid pools at the lowest point and there was nowhere for it to go.Your horse could have done something similar just slipping in the field.

Has the vet given you any treatment, anti inflammatory, bute or danilon, cold hosing and there is a gel that can help reduce inflammation, plenty of gentle movement should help. If it is a heamatoma it could take a long while to go completely, months rather than weeks, they can be drained but there is a risk of infection.
 
He didnt think it was a haematoma. However, he does get up to a lot of antics in field so that is a possibility, especially as the ground is so wet and slippy. There are now folds in the skin underneath which are quite red and raw and obviously painful when he walks. The vet gave him an injection yesterday, and he is on danilon and norodine granules for a week to see if the swelling goes. I have also been washing the area and trying to keep it as clean as possible. Poor boy : (
 
Looks like a haematoma, but if your Vet has seen it and doesn't think so then it may well be a reaction.

As long as it goes down a bit everyday I wouldn't worry too much. I presume he is fine in himself?
 
A horse at the yard Im on had something similar. Vet came out and thought it was a contact reaction to something in the field. It went down after a week and did come back but worse. He ended up needing steroids to help it go down and so far it hasnt came back but he hasnt been back in the field he was in when it flaired up.
 
i had same thing few years back, with a young gelding, vet hadnt a clue, and mine wasnt broken in so must have done something in field. it went away after a few months. baffled all of us and vet.
 
Vet also thinks its a contact reaction of some sort. He seems fine eating as normal etc just a bit uncomfotable. Its just very strange looking and ive never seen anything like it before.
 
I had something similar once. Myhorse did not like the metal of the rugs straps next to his skin on his chest and it was exactly the same. When we went to fetch him in he was shuffling along and going sideways like a crab. From then on I used to cut the toes off paisr of socks and slided them over the metal bit....problem solved. He had an antibiotic jab to get rid of the swelling.
 
kazg07 said:
And hers how it looks now. Its really sore and weepy. Poor boy.
gizchest2.jpg
Click to expand...

mine never weeped, let vet know, maybe he can give antibodics and bath it and put cream on it. mine was just a sweeling like 1st pic and after a few mths it went away. vet hadnt a clue, so we just thought maybe pulled something. hope your boy will be ok soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top