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Discussion on Hard swelled area under the skin
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New Member:
agnes
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 6:15 am:
Yesterday while grooming my belgian/quarter cross mare I noticed a swelled area under the skin at the withers, it is hard to the touch, it does not move and she did not react when I pressed on it. I also noticed a few hard bumps on the same side on her belly. The area at the withers is square in shape about 4 inches wide and 5 inches long. Is this a reaction to a bug bite? I live in VA and is has been very wet and buggy this spring.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 7:52 am:
Agnes, I have been battling swellings under the skin of my palomino paint. A few are hard knot like swellings about the size of a pencil eraser, but many of her swellings are the size of a dime to a quarter and will pit when pressed with a finger. I believe hers are insect bites reactions. She had so many I am trying to decide if it's hives or bites or "Hives due to insect bites"...
It's a struggle to diagnose. Dr. O's article on Lumps and Swellings was a good place for me to start, but it is a chore to determine which of the MANY things it could be...
What type of pasture and stable environment do you have? Or did you notice the swellings after riding on the trail? Seems many folks have trouble with small swellings on the belly from Biting Midges--those teeny, weeny, gnat-like, pesky, biting flies.
Mosquitos are really bad here this year due to the wet conditions.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 8:25 am:
Welcome Agnes,
As Vicki explains, there are swellings and then there are swellings and there are several possibilities for a firm, nonpainful swelling, under the skin, of this size, and at this location. If the swelling is truly "under the skin" however bug bite is not likely however. An acute subcutaneous swelling is most likely trauma but without other evidence of the trauma this does not rule out other possibilities. If this persists or continues to enlarge you should consider having it looked at by your veterinarian.
DrO
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 8:45 am:
Dr. O, I had better take a look at the few hard knots I mentioned. Now I wonder if it is under the skin or in the skin. I was careless with the word under; don't want to mislead Agnes. The larger swellings which pit when pressed are IN the skin--hive. Perhaps hives from fly bit reaction. The small swellings are, I believe at this point, mosquito bites. The few hard knots are high on the neck behind the ear--tough place to remove an insect. ? Hmm. Not sure what they are.
So Agnes, none of the swellings on my horse are square. All are round. Not oval, round. Most are hive like in appearance. Good luck sorting it out. It becomes an obsession...
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New Member:
agnes
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 10:25 am:
I will watch it and consult with the vet if they become a problem. I am not too worried because there is no indication of pain at this point. Thanks for your responses.
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