Very Common
Less 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
Parotiditis, Parotid Gland Swelling
Synonyms: Grass Glands, Grass Mumps
Summary
The normal parotid salivary glands are large, lumpy-feeling glands that lie right behind the jaw bones, in a vertical line from the base of the ear to the jugular groove.
In grazing horses, these glands may become obviously enlarged, a condition known as parotiditis. This is thought to be an allergic response to an allergen (probably pollens) at pasture.
When horses are taken off pasture, the swelling decreases. Usually, horses with parotiditis are normal otherwise. The swelling of the glands does not seem painful or bothersome. In some cases, the veins of the face may stand out or bulge. This is caused by the swollen parotid glands that press on the jugular and its tributary veins, damming the blood back up into the face.
In grazing horses, these glands may become obviously enlarged, a condition known as parotiditis. This is thought to be an allergic response to an allergen (probably pollens) at pasture.
When horses are taken off pasture, the swelling decreases. Usually, horses with parotiditis are normal otherwise. The swelling of the glands does not seem painful or bothersome. In some cases, the veins of the face may stand out or bulge. This is caused by the swollen parotid glands that press on the jugular and its tributary veins, damming the blood back up into the face.
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.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Prognosis is good and, in many cases, horses can be returned to pasture later without recurrence.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Can my horse be returned to pasture after they recover?
Prevention
The only way to prevent parotiditis is to deny horses access to pasture.
Related References:
Schmotzer WB, Hultgren BD, Huber MJ, et al. Chemical involution of the equine parotid salivary gland. Vet Surg 1991;20(2):128-32.