Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Seroma, Generally
Summary
An injury like a kick to an area may damage blood vessels enough to cause them to leak the liquid part of the blood out, but not badly enough to allow the blood cells out into the area.
This accumulation of plasma or serum in an area is called a seroma. It is essentially a bruise in which there is free liquid (amber-colored serum) within the swelling. When the blood cells leak out into an area, a hematoma is formed.
The division between hematoma and seroma is a blurry line. A hematoma turns into a seroma as a blood clot forms and separates from the serum in the swelling. In time, most seromas are resorbed by the body, but they may leave scars, swelling and blemishes. For this reason, treatment of seromas is sometimes needed, and may require drainage.
The most common area for seroma or hematoma to occur on a horse is the upper limb, chest, stifle area, hamstring area of the rear limb, and abdomen but they can form anywhere.
This accumulation of plasma or serum in an area is called a seroma. It is essentially a bruise in which there is free liquid (amber-colored serum) within the swelling. When the blood cells leak out into an area, a hematoma is formed.
The division between hematoma and seroma is a blurry line. A hematoma turns into a seroma as a blood clot forms and separates from the serum in the swelling. In time, most seromas are resorbed by the body, but they may leave scars, swelling and blemishes. For this reason, treatment of seromas is sometimes needed, and may require drainage.
The most common area for seroma or hematoma to occur on a horse is the upper limb, chest, stifle area, hamstring area of the rear limb, and abdomen but they can form anywhere.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is very good, provided there is no involvement of critical structures.If large seromas are left alone, the pressure from the fluid within them can cause damage to the underlying muscle, creating a blemish and in rare cases, a mechanical deficit in movement (fibrotic myopathy).
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
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Swelling on Back or Topline
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Swelling on Back of Lower Limb, Flexor Tendon Area
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Dent in Rear End
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Abrasion or Scrape on Upper Limb or Leg
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Soft, Jiggly Swelling Between Front Legs
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Swelling on Chest
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Bump or Swelling around Anus, Vulva or Tail Base, Non-Gray Horse
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Lump, Bump, Growth or Tumor on Skin, Anywhere on Body
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Lump, Bump, Growth on Leg
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Swelling on Top of Hip, One Side or Both
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Less Common
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Does this seroma need to be drained or will it resorb on its own?
Prevention
Any factors that reduce the likelihood of trauma reduces the likelihood of developing a seroma and hematoma.