By Dr Belinda Black BSc BVMS DVSc DACVS-LA
What is that lump on my horse’s cheek?
A sialoliths is an infrequently occurring, hard, calcified concretion that forms in the parotid salivary duct, which empties saliva into the mouth. These start as a very small ’seed’ grow slowly over time, layer upon layer, much like a pearl. They are normally located on either side of the horses face just below the facial crest and are mobile and non-painful to touch, however, as they grow the sialolith pushes the gum into the mouth, towards the teeth, causing ulcerations of the inside of the cheeks. They can also cause inflammation or infection of the parotid duct, fever, difficulty eating, and halitosis (bad breath). Fortunately, radiographs can be used easily to confirm the presence of a sialolith (see picture).
Treatment of sialoliths is by surgical removal. The surgery can be performed standing, with sedation and local anesthetic; and an incision through the mouth, rather than cutting the skin, is preferred as it carries less complications. Recovery is usually quick and uncomplicated as the inside of the mouth heals promptly.
