lump under the jowls?

Probably nothing. Wait several days and see what happens.

This kind of lump could have any number of possible causes. A bite of some kind, a melanoma ( correct spelling, in case in anyone is interested) a strangles infection which is either starting or receeding, or ( and you should ask your vet about this) an impacted or abscessed wolf tooth which has gotten into the jaw. Sometimes, a blocked salivary duct will cause swellings of this sort as well- that's something else the vet will need to look into.

I have worked with Arabs which had this type of problem, and the usual cause is either strangles, or it is an abscessed/impacted tooth. How long has it been since your mare last had her teeth and mouth examined? That's the first thing I'd look at, if this were my horse. If it turns out that's not the cause, then yes, a biopsy of the lump may be in order.

Good luck, and I hope you find the answer to this mystery.

Strangles is an unlikely possibility. If so, she probably will develop a temp and go off her feed and seem unwell. The bump will get worse and then likely burst before she becomes well. I would isolate her now, and keep an eye on her for the next few days to see what happens. But if no one else on the place has strangles, and if she hasn't been off your property, strangles is unlikely, and you haven't mentioned other symptoms, so.....

It could be a bug bite, but probably not at this time of the year. It could be something imbedded in there such as a splinter, piece of wire or even a foxtail.

Or it could be an abscessed tooth, although I suspect that also is unlikely at her age as she isn't rupturing any more teeth now.

I would give it a week or so, if the problem doesn't get worse or if she still seems well. If it hasn't improved you probably want to get the vet to check it out.

Good luck.

My horse had something that sounds just like what you are talking about. It was a bit larger though, a little smaller than a golf ball. I kept an eye on it for about a week and it seemed to stay the same. The vet was coming in about a week and a half for fall shots so I decided to just have him take a look when he came out for them.

By then it had started to go down and was about 1/2 the size. The vet really wasn't worried about it (especially since it was getting smaller) and thought that it was probably a swollen lymph node. It is now completely gone.

FYI, I have a 6 year old TB/Belgian cross.

First thought... tick bite... the poison ticks inject to make the "hosts" blood flow can clot and cause a lump...

Other ideas... yes it can be a melanoma (which i cant spell either) but not generally under the jowls...

could also be a wasp or other insect bite....

I'd give it a week... if it doesnt go away or changes shape or gets bigger then call the vet...

It may also help to rub it or sqash it between your fingers to try to help break it up... then if it is just scar tissue or alike it will help speed it along... if its a bad celled growth like a skin cancer this will do nutin as the living cells wont be able to be broken down....

well good luck :)

Hi,

This is common in horses. They can get these from a variety of reasons. A small puncture from a stick in the hay, rubbing their heads on bushes, spider bites and snake bites too. As long as it is between the jowls and is getting smaller means you should not worry too much about it. It will take a natural course and burst and drain. You are doing the right thing by keeping an eye on it ( checking for a foul odor and coloration ) and as long as she is not bothered by it---it will pass.

Hope this helps,

TC Circle C Ranch

We had a pinto draft foal get a bump in that area- we made sure the area was clean and did not call the vet. It grew a bit bigger than that though- hers was probably the size of....6 peas In a couple weeks, it popped, pussed (clean puss), and healed itself.

She also could have been rubbing her chin on something and poked it- got a scab, or it could be a spot of non-cancerous tumor- my mare has one on her leg- never grew any bigger than pea sized, but she has had it for a couple years now, causing her no problems.

As long as it doesn't seem to grow or spew icky smelling, green pus, I wouldn't worry.

It doesn't sound like strangles which that would be one of the typical spots...

But I wouldn't go running to the vet, I would wait it out and see. It could be a lymph node doing its job and will go down in time.

If it continues for a month then yeah I would probably see a vet, but this definately isn't an emergency.

Good luck!

Your mare isn't gray is she?

it could just be a bug bite if it get bigger over the next couple days i would call a vet. i dont think it is a really big deal.if its not bothering her. my mare had the same thing notrhing happenend only it got smaller.

Sounds like a bite of some sort