Fluid Filled/Soft Cheeks?

[Roadmix3]

Hello,

Once again I’m back here asking for some advice, suggestions or ideas on this incidental finding.

It’s been really windy and cold where I live. Because of this my horse, and mule have been in stalls since last night when all of this started. This means I am hands on with them more often than when they are turned out. Tonight, I noticed my older gelding has what I can only describe as “soft cheeks”, both sides of his face feel equally as “soft” in the cheek area, or I guess “fluid filled” would be another descriptive term I would use. His face doesn’t appear swollen to look at. Both sides are symmetrical. They are very soft, not at all like a hard abscess or anything.

Call me crazy, are all horses cheeks soft like that? And I’m just now noticing this? I checked my mule, definitely not soft in the cheek area, more boney than anything. The only other thing I could think of is some kind of dental issue? But he’s eating good. He’s a good weight, almost on the porky side.

It very much feels heavy. And fluid filled for some reason. I’m hoping this can wait till Monday when the vet is open, but if I get some feedback here that it may be more concerning, I will see if I can get a vet out tomorrow.

Always something.

[Renn_aissance]

Look up pictures of “grass glands” and see if that looks like what you’re seeing. Absent a temperature or any changes in affect, it’s harmless. We see it in the spring when the horses are out on pasture and start eating down some plant or other that wasn’t growing all winter and that they’d skip over if the grass were in. If your horses are normally field-kept and don’t usually have their heads down stuffing their faces on hay all night, it’s possible that they had a similar reaction.

[Roadmix3]

Thank you. I noticed this morning that it appears to be associated with Ventral Edema. That is fluid retention in the lower part of the body. I came to this conclusion because his sheath was also swollen and heavy (although not terribly so). I have turned him out today in hopes that the increased activity will help everything return to normal, but I will watch close and have the vet out tomorrow if there is no change.

[greywithchrome]

I’ve noticed this on my “porky” mare a few times before lol. Maybe its associated with the weight/fluid retention as you said. Because it was symmetrical and didn’t seem to bother her I didn’t think too much into it and it never became an issue.

[Roadmix3]

Interesting. Thank you for this. Helps me feel better about it!