Very 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 Mouth, Lips, or Chin
Summary
Lumps, bumps and swellings around a horse's lips or mouth are common, and can result from a variety of causes. Abscesses and swellings can develop from an infected wound, traumatic injury. Sharp seed heads grass awns and other foreign bodies can embed themselves in the lips, causing hard swellings or abscesses.
A bit can cause trauma to the corners of the mouth, which can become cracked, painful and swollen. In gray horses, the most common thickening of the lips and corner of the mouth is melanoma, which appears as non-painful thickening of the lips. The lips and muzzle are also a common area for snake bite.
A bit can cause trauma to the corners of the mouth, which can become cracked, painful and swollen. In gray horses, the most common thickening of the lips and corner of the mouth is melanoma, which appears as non-painful thickening of the lips. The lips and muzzle are also a common area for snake bite.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If this problem seems severe and has come on suddenly.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If this seems to be a slowly changing problem not seeming to cause the horse much difficulty.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), and assess the mouth (always wear gloves). Press the swelling. Is it soft or hard, painful or not? Take a photo of the swelling to share with your vet and look for swellings elsewhere on the body. Contact your vet with your findings and concerns.What Not To Do
Do not attempt to "lance" lumps without veterinary guidance.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet can usually narrow down or determine the cause from an initial exam. However, they may suggest diagnostics such as a biopsy or needle aspirate if needed.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- How old is the horse?
- If what you feel is thickening of the lips, is this horse a gray?
- Does the area seem painful when pressure is applied to it?
- When did you first notice this problem?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- What does the problem look and feel like?
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
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Melanoma
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Traumatic Injury Bruise or Contusion
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Foreign Body in a Location, Generally
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Granuloma or Foreign Body Reaction
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Poisonous Snake Bite, Rattlesnake or Pit Viper
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Papilloma Virus Generally
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Papillomas or Warts, Juvenile Warts
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Insect Stings, Centipede, or Spider Bites
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Abscess in Any Location, Generally
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Neoplasia, Tumor or Cancer, Skin
Less 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
