Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Do you have a swelling under the skin and you are unsure what it is? This is the place to start.

Swellings are a very common problem in horses with many causes, as a result we have a number of different articles on this subject. This article is designed to explain the causes of swelling, help differentiate the various types, and then direct you to more specific topics on the specific swelling. Note that bumps, lumps, and tumors of the skin itself are discussed elsewhere. Some swellings are obviously part of the skin but if you are uncertain try moving the skin around the swelling. Does the swelling move with the skin or does the skin move over the top of it? If it moves with the skin most likely it is associated intimately with the skin and discussed in the article on skin bumps and tumors, ...more.

In this article swellings and tumors of the tissues under the skin are discussed. The differences between non-inflammatory and inflammatory swellings are outlined and the common swellings that occur in horses are identified by their characteristics and location. Links to more specific articles on further diagnostics, treatment, and prognosis are provided.

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