Why does my horse have lumps under her jaw?
Michael Henderson
Published Feb 17, 2026
Why does my horse have lumps under her jaw?
Dental matters: Teething bumps, or eruption cysts, are hard enlargements seen along the jawline in horses younger than 5 years of age. The bumps are caused by changes in the bone as the permanent premolar and molar teeth emerge and displace the deciduous, or “baby,” teeth.
Should you give Bute to a horse with an abscess?
“If the horse is in abject pain, I think giving them a gram of bute to mitigate the pain is certainly worthwhile,” Fallon said. “You can still get a diagnosis the next day if he’s had a gram of bute for the night.”
Do strangles abscesses always burst?
Since swallowing is painful and difficult, many horses show a sharp drop in appetite and are, understandably, obviously depressed. The infection in the lymph nodes causes abscesses to develop inside these glands. The abscesses eventually rupture and drain, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
What causes swollen glands in a horse’s neck?
Strangles is an upper respiratory disease of horses caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). The disease has been reported as early as the thirteenth century. It causes a distinctive swelling under the jaw and around the neck, prompting early veterinarians to name the disease “strangles”.
What are Windgalls in horses?
‘Windgall’ is a term commonly used by vets and owners to describe fluid swellings behind the fetlock in horses and ponies. While in many cases they are considered non-painful blemishes it is important to understand why they occur and when they should be investigated, as they could affect your horse’s future soundness.
Why is my horse’s jaw swollen?
Swelling of the jowl or side of the cheek can occur for a variety of reasons, most commonly dental disease of the lower jaw molars (cheek teeth). Horses with displaced molars and other dental conditions will often pack a tight wad of feed between the row of cheek teeth and the cheek.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from an abscess?
Abscesses cause sudden, severe pain and lameness. Draining, bandaging and keeping the hoof clean are key to treating an abscess. It may take a week to several weeks for the abscess to heal depending on the infection. Routine hoof care and keeping your horse’s area clean can prevent abscesses.
Can an abscess cause laminitis?
Horses with an abscess should have a single painful spot, while those that are sore all over the hoof may have diffuse disease such as laminitis or a coffin bone fracture.
How do you treat an abscess in a horse’s jaw?
Veterinarians usually recommend applying hot packs to the lower jaw. This will help the abscesses mature so they can be safely opened. Once opened, flush the inside of the abscess with dilute povidone-iodine solutions until they heal. Horses usually recover fully after the abscesses open.
How do you get rid of strangles in horses?
How is strangles treated? In most cases, strangles is treated with rest and supportive care. Horses are monitored closely to ensure pain management and adequate consumption of food and water. If not treated with antibiotics, 75% of horses mount a sufficient immune response to develop long-term immunity to strangles.
Why is my horses jaw swollen?
Theories include exposure to new, spring grass or sugar-rich grass or pollens. Without a clear understanding of the condition, no specific treatment currently exists. Other causes of facial swellings in horses include: Inflammation of the salivary glands, such as the parotid gland (parotiditis);
Why is my horses face swollen?
Swelling of the head and/or face is caused by a variety of disease processes. Dental conditions commonly cause swelling on one side, while a nutritional deficit such as Big Head or Bran Disease, commonly causes generalized swelling of the facial bones of the skull.
What causes abscess in the hoof of a horse?
An abscess on a horse hoof. An abscess occurs when bacteria get trapped inside the hoof. Nails, screws and glass may damage the hoof and leave behind bacteria. Horseshoe nails inside the white line (where the hoof wall meets the sole) may allow bacteria to enter. Poor hoof quality may allow bacteria to enter the deeper parts of the hoof.
What to do if your horse has a tooth abscess?
She may also use dental instruments to take measurements of the pocket, the level of frailty of the gums and the tooth itself. You must seek treatment for your horse if he has a tooth abscess. It will not go away on its own and will only progress into a more serious condition.
Why does my horse have pus coming out of his mouth?
As time passes, the abscess can rupture, releasing pus. Horses do not usually develop cavities in their teeth. Instead, dental infections usually begin at the root of the tooth and are often preceded by gum infection which leads to an abscess.
How can you tell if a horse has a tooth infection?
Some horses have a warm painful swelling or a draining tract located in or on the jaw. The horse may have bad breath, show a decrease in appetite, and exhibit head tossing or reluctance to be bridled.