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Discussion on Swelling in chest area with heat
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New Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 10:14 pm:
I noticed today that my mare has an area on her chest that is swollen and warm. I initially thought she may have been kicked, but I do not see any other marks to indicate that. She is not sensitive when I touch or move it around. I hosed her with cold water and walker her around. She is not lame and her temperament is the same as always (gentle). She is eating feed but not much hay. No fever.
After searching this site, I am wondering if it may be pigeon fever? I have included a few pictures. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 10:52 pm:
I just realized I should have placed this post under Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses. Sorry for the misplacement of this thread.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 11:24 pm:
Sure looks possible, but I'm not the vet on the site, just another owner. We had a mare long time ago that got Pigeon Fever though, and it looked like this before it broke. I also had a mare get kicked and she developed a large hematoma that looked like this. She wasn't sore to the touch either. Does the swelling move around or does it feel firm?
Have you read the threads on Pigeon Fever? Maybe they will help you out.
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Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 - 11:30 pm:
The swelling does move around, not really firm. I would say more squishy (is that a word?). I think I have read all the postings on pigeon fever. It appears to me that you don't know its PF until it ruptures.
I live in south Louisiana and PF is not common here. I am so hoping its not PF. This is my daughter's competition horse that she uses in our local open show.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 12:24 am:
With our mare that got kicked, the swelling moved around. I didn't see any shoe/hoof marks on her chest either, but assumed she had gotten kicked as saw a couple of them "going at it" earlier. In her case, we wound up having to get her hemotoma drained.
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Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 12:34 am:
This mare has started to assert herself with her pasture buddy. She was once submissive, but that does not appear to be the case lately. This is why I immediately thought she had been kicked. However, once reading about PF, not sure my assumption about a kick was correct.
Sara, were you able to ride the mare that was kicked? Was she lame? How long did it take for the drain area to heal? Our mare appears to be sound with no tenderness or pain.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 7:03 am:
Hello Heidi,
This looks like a hematoma that my mare has received in the past from a kick. If the swollen area starts to sink down, that is likely what it is, as gravity forces the fluids downward to the lowest point. In the case of my mare, it sunk down to between her front legs. Fortunately, I did not have to have it drained. I cold hosed for a few days, then applied warmth and massage to help the body reabsorb the fluids.
It's my understanding that PF can be quite serious, so if in doubt, I would have the vet out to take a look.
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Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 7:24 am:
Thanks Fran. My instinct is telling me that this is the result of a kick. However, I don't want to treat this as a kick with cold hosing when I should be warm packing to draw out the abscess.
I did hose twice yesterday and administered bute last night. I will see the vet as soon as possible because I am not sure what will be the best course of treatment. Kick or PF?
It is still warm to the touch this morning but does appear to have reduced in size by about 20%. No fever and eating morning feed as usual.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 10:24 am:
Our mare was a young brood mare, never ridden, so no I couldn't ride her; at least I didn't want to try!
If it is going down, I'd vote for kick. But, like you, I'd get her looked at to be sure.
Nice chest on that mare; what does the rest of her look like? Breed? Just curious and always like looking at nice horses regardless of breed.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 5:48 pm:
Hello Heidi,
This is a common location for traumatic swelling and can be a bit of a bugger as it drains poorly here. Is pigeon fever common in your area? As others above have noted often edema/hemmorage in this area will need surgical drainage. The sign this is the case will be it slowly getting worse in the short run or not improving in the long run. Sounds like you are off to a good start with the reduction in size.
DrO
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Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 7:20 pm:
Dr. O,
Pigeon fever is not common in my area. I spoke to my vet today and he said that this is more likely the result from a kick because pigeon fever is so uncommon in our area. He suggested to continue cold hosing and administering bute once a day. If things do not improve in three days he will evaluate her in person.
I am happy to report that the swelling has reduced even more this afternoon. I was able to hose the area 3 times today. In addition, it is no longer warm. I am hoping that this progress continues. I will also try massaging the area as suggested in another thread to help things along.
Sara, she is a 5 year old quarter horse. My eleven year old daughter rides her in open and 4H shows. She is very good minded and a reliable horse for my daughter. I have included and picture. Thanks!
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 24, 2010 - 7:21 am:
Glad to hear things are improving. Your daughter and your mare are both lovely!
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Member:
hdupre
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 - 8:04 am:
Thanks LL for the nice comments.
My mare is really improving. I do not think I will need to have the area drained. The swelling has decreased significantly. I took this picture last night. This morning the swelling is almost completely gone! YEAH!!!!
Thanks to everyone for the comments and support.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 - 10:57 am:
Heidi, she's a lovely mare! She and your daughter look fantastic together, too. I'm so glad she's improving!
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 - 6:54 am:
Heidi, very glad the problem is resolving. In the case of my mare, the last of the fluids sunk so low between her front legs, it looked like her udder (or at least half of it!) had moved from back to front. After that, it was gone in a few days. Your mare and your adorable daughter look like a wonderful pair.
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