Large, palpable lump on horse's hind quarters.?

Question

I realize that a vet would be the best option for diagnosing anything wrong with my horse, but I just noticed it this evening, and it was already dark out. I couldn't see it very well, but I could feel it, right behind and above her flank on the right side, almost on her hip. It's about the size of a tennis ball (if you stretched it into an oval, that is). When pressed, my horse doesn't react at all, so I know it isn't really causing her any serious pain, if any. It almost feels like it's a bubble just under her skin, and maybe the muscle there feels a little more separated than it should be. But it definitely gives when pressed. I'll more than likely call the vet tomorrow, but I just wanted to get some ideas of what it could be. I've read about infected bug bites and things like hives, but nothing seems to have the same description that I've got. Thanks!

Answer 1

Perhaps an abcess? I hope you get this fixed! Good luck majorly! :) :)

Answer 2

Im sorry cant help you there. It could be alot of things you know. Call vet as soon as you can. I hope she's ok

Answer 3

Could be an abscess...from some foreign body that got in there.  Like a splinter or something.

Could be a hematoma...from getting kicked by another horse or bumping into something pretty hard.

Could be an allergic reaction to wasp or hornet sting...or the like.  Our gelding had the most impressive 'water balloon' under his skin...after he decided to tear down a hornet's nest out of a low branch on a tree.  It was about the size of a cantaloupe...just not as round.

Without pain, and if she's eating and drinking and her color looks good...I would put a call into the vet in the morning...first thing before he got busy for the day!

Gee...I feel like I'm 'copying' gallop...but she has the same opinion that I do...

Answer 4

couldent really help you out there.

BUT JUST CALL THE VET!

its too risky to take advise from a site,

Answer 5

There are many possibilities.  It sounds like you just noticed it, but that it may have been there for awhile as it developed.  It could be that it started out as a sting or thorn, etc and then an abscess may have formed.  Or it could be a pocket of blood (hematoma) from an injury, or just a pocket of fluid after an allergic reaction, etc.  Since it isn't painful, it is probably fine to call the vet tomorrow and go from there.

Answer 6

Probably a reaction to a kick or bump - a pocket of fluid.

I have a mare with something like you describe on her chest. It doesn't bother her at all either.

If it bothers you you can apply a poultice (like "up tight") and see if you can get it to harden to a head - then you can have it lanced.

Another option is to see if it dissipates with exercise...then it joins the list of "mystery swellings" our horses like to present to us.

It does not sound serious - but I am not a vet.

  

Answer 7

My gelding had a similar lump on his neck that turned out to be an abscess.  We put hot moist cloths on it about four time in a day and at the end of the day gently squeezed it and a bunch of ooze came out (gross).  We rinsed it with clear warm water and then put a bunch of Sergeants on it.  The next day it was already looking better.  I kept it clean and repeated the Sergeants for about a week and it cleared up.  You could try the moist hot cloths through the weekend and then take her to the vet on Monday if it's not better (cheaper than a farm call).  Hopefully it's something simple that will get better soon.