lumpy tum

[Deleted]

My ancient mare Holly has developed a strange vast lump on her belly, It seems to have only appeared this week, though, being rather hairy, it is possible that it has been brewing for a bit beforehand as I have to admit she doesn't get groomed very often, just suddenly noticed it when she was grazing, It is about a foot long and perhaps an inch or 2 deep, she also has one side of her udder and in front of it a little swollen, she doesn't appear to be in any discomfort and there is no sign of anything like a cut or wound that could have caused it. The only similar thing I have come across is when a friends horse had heart problems and had fluid gather there, but she had her heart checked in August and was fine, being around 30, I am aware that things can go wrong, but she seems fit as a flea and had a thorough veterinary check up in August as she's taking part in a survey of old horses with Liverpool university. Haven't called the vet yet as she does't seem worried and am monitoring the size daily, but will probably get them out if she's still the same next week. Has anyone ever come across anything similar?

[harleydales]

I've heard of fluid and fat gathering in odd places in older horses, so it could just be that. Is it soft or hard?

As she's not in any discomfort I would just do as you are doing it and monitor it day by day.

[harveydales]

Quest, one of my horses, once had a fluid filled lump the same size and location you describe. It was due him kicking himself high up in the groin area and gravity drew the fluid to the tummy area. I did get a vet out at the time and he was put on bute, kept out and moving and the fluid dispersed after aweek or so.

As you say, fluid build up in theat area can also be due to heart problems and no doubt, a host of other causes. If there is no change after a few days I'd have a word with the vet.

[valerie n scout]

mmm yes sounds like a vet job to me too x

[Deleted]

It sounds like 'ventral oedema' to me, which is as mentioned fluid gathering at the lowest point of gravity! Takes a long time to go down but bute (anti-inflammatory) and most importantly moving around will help disperse it. If you push a finger into is does it stay pitted for a few seconds, and is there any weeping/discharge from it?

The most concerning thing is what has caused it. I've seen it in horses who have kicked themselves due to things like fly bites, and that has caused inflammation which settled there because of gravity. Likewise a horse which impaled itself on a gate latch and the swelling around the wound settled under the tummy in a few days. Have a good look over her and see if you can see any evidence of trauma/irritation as that may explain it.

Otherwise I guess you worry about more serious things- such as heart problems as you mention. Something else which springs to mind is maybe low proteins in the blood (possibly due to liver problems, therefore less produced, or if they are being lost through the gut/kidneys). You might expect oedema in other places if there are systemic problems like this, such as limb filling or swelling under the chest/jaw. Might be worth a blood test to check for infection and the function of the major organs seeing as she is an oldie, and in which case it is probably worth having someone out to look her over too. If she is normal in herself and eating etc then that is always a good sign, but nice to pick things up early if there is anything serious going on

HTH

Vicky

[Deleted]

Thanks for the advice, it has maybe spread a bit wider but is not deeper, she's still out at night and moving about, so will give it a few more days and see if there is any change, have been thinking of anything she might have done to bang it, she did climb over some fencing about 2 weeks before, which could have done it, depending on how long it takes to develop, but there is no sign of any cut or weeping, will continue to monitor it.

[harveydales]

A bit of bruising clambering over a fence could very well be the cause. Let us know how it goes.