[ScotsGirl]

One of my lambs is about a month old and I noticed a swelling on one cheek. It doesn't seem to hurt or interfere with feeding. I can definitely palate the lump and its quite hard, can't feel anything inside his mouth except sharp teeth!


Should I just leave it or treat with something? I wondered if just a prickle from hay or he might have knocked it?

[sokel]

could it be an abcess ?

[Pedwardine]

Is it possible some foreign body may have penetrated? We had a ewe lamb with a swollen cheek last year. Could have been anything from a thistle spike to a blackthorn barb. Hers was a squidgy lump though. Treated with AB's for a few days and it disappeared. It could also need lancing and spraying with Terramycin. If there is puss make sure everything icky comes out or it will likely swell up again.
Hopefully another opinion will be along soon.

[fsmnutter]

swellings around that sort of area can be to do with tooth infections, abscesses from eg. thorns getting in, potentially blood blister type of thing from having a knock, or even sometimes problems of deformity or infection of the bone itself.
If he is eating, drinking and doesn't have a temperature, see what it does over a couple of days.
If it is an abscess, it may well burst out, antibiotics in ruminants have a nasty habit of walling abscesses off so they don't burst or get any antibiotic into where it counts!
If it's a blood blister type, I would expect it to get softer and gradually disappear.
If it is a tooth problem, either a damaged or infected tooth, the problem will continue to build up.
If it's a problem with the bone itself, it probably won't change much.
Over the next couple of days, if it doesn't change and doesn't affect his appetite, then it may be nothing to worry about. If it changes as described, an abscess may need lancing or draining, and antibiotics once it's empty, a tooth problem may need further veterinary treatment, or whatever it is may resolve itself.
Hopefully it'll just settle down of its own accord, cos that's always easiest!
Suzanne

[ScotsGirl]

He is eating and drinking normally but I have found him In The shelter a couple of times on his own. At home today so will watch for him playing with others as I don't think he had been. It feels like lump is in the cheek skin and not near the gum. Might try and clip off hair to see if I can find a puncture wound.


I hope he's ok as a lovely well grown lamb. The Suffolk on a Wiltshire looks like producing a good carcass.