My young horse (not 100% sure of age, assume she’s coming four sometime this spring) came in to eat this morning with swollen retropharyngeal lymph nodes. They’re about egg-sized and hard. Really only visible in her throatlatch when she stretches. I first noticed them when I corrected her for trying to blast through the gate and she threw her head up.
No puffy swelling, no fever. Sub-mandibular lymph nodes are not swollen. Not high enough for parotids. She does not care if I touch them, squeeze them, etc. Ate like usual and acting like her usual teenage self. We had an attitude adjustment the first few weeks I had her. Never spooky or lame. Her only offense now is being silly on the longe.
She came from a “neglect” situation a few months ago about six hours from me but has records of vaccinations including Strangles from last year. The only horses on the property are my three and they haven’t gone anywhere recently. Rabies and Coggins were done last week for everyone and I will do the rest including Strangles soon. We are just turning the corner into spring here and she has had teary eyes the past week or so. No clear or colored nasal drip. No real grass in my paddocks and no changes to her diet. She has shed a couple of tooth caps recently.
Thoughts? Spring allergies? I know swollen lymph nodes are usually attributed to infections, but anecdotally seem to appear whenever there’s an immunostimulation. I am trying to avoid calling vet on Easter Sunday but will tomorrow. I am expecting her to tell me she is not concerned.
