Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Lump, Bump, Growth on Muzzle
Summary
There are a variety of lumps and bumps that can appear on a horse's muzzle. As with bumps appearing elsewhere, the possible diagnoses include traumatic swelling, wound infections, tumors, cyst, abscesses, or an inflammatory reaction to a foreign body. Gray horses can develop melanoma here. A firm bump on the side of the muzzle could also be an atheroma (false nostril cyst). Growing horses commonly have pale colored warts that suddenly appear here.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) in the resting horse indicate fever (Temp>101F/38.3C), or heart rate greater than 48 BPM.
- If the mass is large, painful or seems to be growing rapidly.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
- If the mass is small, non-painful or seems to be only growing slowly.
your role
What To Do
Assess the horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), taking note of the rectal temperature, and look and feel for bumps elsewhere.Gently press on the bump to determine whether it feels well-defined within the tissue or blended into it, moveable within the tissue, hard or soft, painful or not. Take a photo of the bump and send it to your vet for discussion.
What Not To Do
Do not ever attempt to lance, open or drain any swelling unless advised to do so by your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet may be able to diagnose the underlying cause simply by examining a lump in this location. However, additional diagnostics may be needed to reach a definitive diagnosis.
For small bumps on the face, vets often use "excisional biopsy", meaning that we surgically remove the entire mass and then send the tissue off to the lab to reach a diagnosis. At that point, your vet may recommend any appropriate follow-up treatment.
For small bumps on the face, vets often use "excisional biopsy", meaning that we surgically remove the entire mass and then send the tissue off to the lab to reach a diagnosis. At that point, your vet may recommend any appropriate follow-up treatment.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- How old is the horse?
- When did you first notice this?
- When did you last think your horse seemed normal?
- Is the mass covered with hair or not?
- Do you notice other masses or swellings?
- Can you tell whether the mass is painful to your horse?
- What is the size, shape and feel of the mass?
- Where, exactly, is it located? Can you provide a photo?
- How large is it?
- Has the appearance of the growths changed over time?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Rare
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
