magnolia73
Oct. 4, 2009, 04:27 PM
Maybe 2-3 weeks ago, Niki came in with a couple of scabs clustered on her cheek, like bug bites that she itched. They've been a bit swollen, maybe a 1" diameter, hard swelling. They've just kind of stayed around, and I haven't given much thought- when she swells, she swells and it sticks around.
Today, the scabs looked well healed and crusted over to the point of just some skin flakes, but the swelling is now a 1x3 section with the old scabs in the center. No heat, no tenderness- you can poke it and she doesn't mind, and the swelling is squishier.
I put a bit of liniment on it, and told the barn staff to keep an eye on it. I figure she bumped it hard or itched it... any thoughts? I have awful visions of insects hatching out of it.
It is far enough from the jaw that I feel it is not a tooth issue, and not close enough to be glands. It's just in the center of a cheek. She is turned out 23 hours a day with no halter, so I doubt a halter rub issue.
Today, the scabs looked well healed and crusted over to the point of just some skin flakes, but the swelling is now a 1x3 section with the old scabs in the center. No heat, no tenderness- you can poke it and she doesn't mind, and the swelling is squishier.
I put a bit of liniment on it, and told the barn staff to keep an eye on it. I figure she bumped it hard or itched it... any thoughts? I have awful visions of insects hatching out of it.
It is far enough from the jaw that I feel it is not a tooth issue, and not close enough to be glands. It's just in the center of a cheek. She is turned out 23 hours a day with no halter, so I doubt a halter rub issue.