HorseQuest does not diagnose; however, we have provided you some information that may help you decide whether you need to contact your local veterinarian. Foals are born with cheek teeth in place and permanent ones don't start to erupt until 9 months of age (with the first molar). The answer may depend upon whether the swellings are hard or soft, are associated with the mandible (lower jaw), or are located between the two halves of the mandible. One will see hard enlargements on the ventral (bottom) side of the mandible in a two-year-old and three-year-old, usually because permanent teeth are coming in. If the swellings are between the jaws and are discrete, round palpable objects, they could simply be lymph nodes that are enlarged in response to new antigens. If there is no fever, then you would most likely keep an eye on the swellings and the horse. If there is a a history of the filly being off the farm, other horses returning to the farm from shows, or new additions to the farm, the lymph nodes may be enlarged due to exposure to something. Remember also that at about five months or so, maternal passive immunity is waning and the filly's immune system is maturing.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horses