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
Wound to Cheek with Drainage or Swelling & Odor
Summary
A wound to the cheek, with drainage and swelling and with a noticeable odor may not be a simple wound at all. It may be a draining tract from an abscessed lower jaw cheek tooth. Less commonly, it could result from a foreign body or infected bone. A strong, pungent odor from a face wound often indicates bone involvement.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to attitude, appetite and rectal temperature. Take a photo of the wound to share with your vet.What Not To Do
Do not apply antibiotic products to the wound 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 explores and probes the wound to determine its depth and orientation. They perform a thorough oral and dental exam. They may use other diagnostics, including x-ray, to determine whether there is involvement of a tooth or bone.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does the discharge have a strong odor?
- When did you first notice this problem?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- Is the horse eating normally?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
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.
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)
