Lump on neck- what do you think?

[loubylou]

Uva has had this for at least 4 years (since I have owned her, and since her previous owner has owned her and prob before that) and it has never changed. I have never thought anything of it until recently when I have done the wrong thing and started looking at 'lumps on horses' and wondered if it could be something more sinister.

photos:




It is the same every day, pea sized lump under the skin, quite hard to touch, doesn't cause her issues. I did get my old vets to look at it, and they said if it hadn't changed for that long then not to worry about it, have since stopped using that vets as didn't think much on them, and havn't pointed it out to current vets.

Just wondered what people thought?

Thanks, look forward to reading replies!

oh Just wanted to add she is an ex polo pony and is covered in lumps and bumps elsewhere so could it be trauma at some point?
First thought is a melanoma but its been there for so long with no change....
answers on a postcard!

[julz]

I did think it's probably a cyst or some kind of scar tissue... I'd be inclined to agree with the vets... if it's not bothering her and it's been there for years with no problems, leave it be.. but.. do keep and eye on it incase it does change as she gets older.

Quizy had a cyst on his side, over the ribcage and where the saddle sat.. Vet said that regular riding would keep it squashed and if he had time off it would appear to grow but all it was doing was refilling... because it was over the ribcage it wouldnt be able to cause probs inside so they were happy to leave it.

[jill]

Looks like a melanoma to me - greys are prone to them and that is a common site for them. There was one in a field near me years ago who had a whole row of them running down his jaw line on the one side, didn't seem to bother him much but I never saw him ridden, don't know whether he could wear a bridle throat latch. He was a very elderly horse, it is possible yours may develop more as she gets older - how old is she now?
Or may be totally benign and never develop any more

[specialized]

If it has not changed then leave well alone, if it grows then have it looked at.

[mandal]

I know a horse with a hard small strawberry sized lump on her chest. It has never changed, Vets have looked and looked again and declared it 'nothing to worry about' every time. If you're concerned get the Vet to have another look.

Also ask the Vet to talk through his/her thinking with you so you know what's been considered.

[BJMM]

Looks like a benign cyst to me, not that I'm a vet ;D
I would have thought a melanoma would have shown at least some changes in the time she's had it. Agree with Specialized, or, next time your vet calls, ask him/her to have a look. xx