HorseAdvice.com Equine & Horse Advice: Bump on Throat

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	Discussion on Bump on Throat
Author	Message
Member: july18	Posted on Friday, Jul 20, 2007 - 11:29 am: Hi Dr. O We have something going on with a 15 yr. old gray mule. Bump on throat latch, first noticed it last fall, vet checked it didn't know, said watch for change. Stayed about the same, had him check it a month again a month ago, took sample with needle, it was only blood. Vet expected a lymph node or melanoma. He is hesitant to do anything else because of it's proximity to the jugular vein. Now it seems to have grown to lemon size, and I think I notice swelling above the bump. Any ideas? Thanks
Moderator: DrO	Posted on Sunday, Jul 22, 2007 - 5:57 pm: Hello Chris, A common swelling of this area is the thyroid gland. Normally the thyroid glands sit on top of the trachea and is held in place with a bit of connective tissue. It is not uncommon to have this break and then it slips down to the side of the trachea and appears like your photo though yours is a bit larger and perhaps a little further up than what you normally see. For more on some of the identifying characteristics and significance see, Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses. If after reading the section you think this is not what you have write back why you think your lump is different. DrO