Post by zephyrhillsusan on Nov 12, 2014 15:45:54 GMT -5
Monday we discovered a lump on the left side of Ebony's jaw. It was hidden in the long winter hair under her jaw, but you could feel it if you rubbed under there. It was obviously sore and she didn't want it touched. She was not wearing a halter at the time, but had been previously because I was leading her into the barnyard for milking until I dried her off. (I've been keeping an eye on her udder--not the other end!) There was a little rubbed area on the right side of her jaw in about the same place, but on the left side there was this lump. It seemed to have a little scab on it, and when I picked it loose there was a bit of pus on the inside of the scab. However, no more pus came out, even when I kind of squeezed on the lump. I wondered if it might be an abscess trying to form, but it definitely had a scab.
My first thought on finding the "dreaded lump" on my cow's jaw was lumpy jaw. Looking it up on the internet, it's pretty scary. It's treatable in soft tissue, but the prognosis is not good if it gets into the bone. Here's a KFC thread on something similar. Here are images of lumpy jaw (Warning: some are pretty graphic.) I found this story about a steer with an abscess. Ebony was 3 in April so she's the prime age for lumpy jaw.
Of course I immediately called the vet and left a message. I also sprayed iodine (on the spot where I removed the scab) and scrubbed it in with a paper towel. My best vet can't make it till next week. I didn't think the lump was actually in the bone so he told me to keep an eye on it and keep iodine on it. I was still worried, so I called my back-up vet. He's in Honduras, his partner doesn't do farm calls and their junior partner doesn't do much with cattle. I finally got hold of another vet I've used in the past and he said he'd come today.
The vet was here a while ago. We had Ebony in the squeeze chute so he could examine her. He shaved the lump to be able to visualize it. He felt all over the lump, which does move a bit, and said he it's not attached to the bone, but it does have a thick stemlike area inside it up close to the jaw. He examined inside her mouth and said she has a sharp tooth in her upper jaw right above that area of the lower jaw. His assessment is that it is not lumpy jaw, but an abscess, possibly caused by irritation from the sharp upper tooth. He believes that the abscess has already drained. He disinfected the area and took a swab for culture and sensitivity, which will take a week to get results. He said there is no point in giving her antibiotics until we know what we're dealing with, but to keep iodine on it. He said iodine After he left I took some photos.
You can see the lump partway back along her jaw. The vet has not actually seen a case of lumpy jaw, but he said it's usually back farther on the jawbone near the cheek. Sorry the photos aren't better, but I was feeding Ebby treats with my left hand to get her to extend her head and trying to duck down with the camera and shoot photos under her jaw with the other hand.
You can see why the lump didn't show through her long hair until it was shaved.
I did manage to get up underneath her and get one close-up. You can see the blood where the scab was and where he took the culture. All of that swollen area is like thickened tissue. The lump feels fairly hard, which was why I originally thought an abscess was trying to form, but now I agree with the vet that it looks like one has already ruptured and drained.
Ebby is eating and cudding normally. She seems bright-eyed and not at all droopy or sick. But of course I'm still worried. Do any of you have any experience with lumpy jaw and/or abscesses? I would sure appreciate any input you have! Can you think of anything else I should do?
Of course this is happening when we have a 2-day trip to MO (next Mon. & Tues.) we can't get out of! We have to go pick up stuff from my father's house so that the estate can be settled, and my two elderly aunts are depending on us. At this point there are no antibiotics to give (we'll be home before the C&S is ready), and I know my niece will be glad to spray iodine on the lump, but I truly hate to be gone at any time, much less when there's a concern.
My first thought on finding the "dreaded lump" on my cow's jaw was lumpy jaw. Looking it up on the internet, it's pretty scary. It's treatable in soft tissue, but the prognosis is not good if it gets into the bone. Here's a KFC thread on something similar. Here are images of lumpy jaw (Warning: some are pretty graphic.) I found this story about a steer with an abscess. Ebony was 3 in April so she's the prime age for lumpy jaw.
Of course I immediately called the vet and left a message. I also sprayed iodine (on the spot where I removed the scab) and scrubbed it in with a paper towel. My best vet can't make it till next week. I didn't think the lump was actually in the bone so he told me to keep an eye on it and keep iodine on it. I was still worried, so I called my back-up vet. He's in Honduras, his partner doesn't do farm calls and their junior partner doesn't do much with cattle. I finally got hold of another vet I've used in the past and he said he'd come today.
The vet was here a while ago. We had Ebony in the squeeze chute so he could examine her. He shaved the lump to be able to visualize it. He felt all over the lump, which does move a bit, and said he it's not attached to the bone, but it does have a thick stemlike area inside it up close to the jaw. He examined inside her mouth and said she has a sharp tooth in her upper jaw right above that area of the lower jaw. His assessment is that it is not lumpy jaw, but an abscess, possibly caused by irritation from the sharp upper tooth. He believes that the abscess has already drained. He disinfected the area and took a swab for culture and sensitivity, which will take a week to get results. He said there is no point in giving her antibiotics until we know what we're dealing with, but to keep iodine on it. He said iodine After he left I took some photos.
You can see the lump partway back along her jaw. The vet has not actually seen a case of lumpy jaw, but he said it's usually back farther on the jawbone near the cheek. Sorry the photos aren't better, but I was feeding Ebby treats with my left hand to get her to extend her head and trying to duck down with the camera and shoot photos under her jaw with the other hand.
You can see why the lump didn't show through her long hair until it was shaved.
I did manage to get up underneath her and get one close-up. You can see the blood where the scab was and where he took the culture. All of that swollen area is like thickened tissue. The lump feels fairly hard, which was why I originally thought an abscess was trying to form, but now I agree with the vet that it looks like one has already ruptured and drained.
Ebby is eating and cudding normally. She seems bright-eyed and not at all droopy or sick. But of course I'm still worried. Do any of you have any experience with lumpy jaw and/or abscesses? I would sure appreciate any input you have! Can you think of anything else I should do?
Of course this is happening when we have a 2-day trip to MO (next Mon. & Tues.) we can't get out of! We have to go pick up stuff from my father's house so that the estate can be settled, and my two elderly aunts are depending on us. At this point there are no antibiotics to give (we'll be home before the C&S is ready), and I know my niece will be glad to spray iodine on the lump, but I truly hate to be gone at any time, much less when there's a concern.
