Lump on horses neck

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My name is Danielle and I have a Grey Gelding that has recently developed a lump on his left hand side of his throat.  It is just under his head and very close to his main veins.

I have had the vet out 3 time now and they have taken a needle test to test the cells, a blood work test and a general health check.  The lump is approx the size of a tennis ball and seems to get larger when it's hot and smaller when it's cooler.  My horse is 10yrs old and in excellent condition, but I was really worried about this lump, do you have any suggestions on what I can do?

ANSWER: Dear Danielle,
         It seems to me like this is strangels, a very bad infection that can lead to death in some horses. It may also be cancerious tissue, or swollen lymph nodes. If the lump pops and oozes pus it is most likely strangles. All that can be done is to baby the horse, give antibiotics and hope it goes away with out taking the horse.
         If he does recover and it is stranlges get a once a year vaccine for it, along with rhino flu, west nile, ETC. Check with your vet to see what infections are in your area and get a vaccine for them.
michelyn

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QUESTION: Michelyn,

The vet has assured me that it is not strangles, and both my horses have been vaccinated.  Also only one horse has the lump and if it was strangles I would have thought both horses would have gotten it.  But it is only one horse and only on one side of his neck and there is no discharge? He has also had two treatments of antibiotics and also antinflammatory

My horse also doesn't seem to be loosing any weight either, but the lump is quite obvious and it must be something not good to just appear.

The vet has also tested for Cancer and the result came back negative.  So I am really stuck.

They tell me that the next thing is to lance the lump, but I was concerned about that as it is very close to his main vein.  Any suggestions on what I should do would be appreciate.

Thanks

Answer
Dear Danielle,
         It could also be an abcess, Our horses have never had them, but i gather from my friends that they are common. If the vet wants to lance it, tell him your fears, but rest assured, I don't think that your vet will hurt your guy. I know how you feel, i worry very much about it. If you are really worried, try to find out about your vet's schooling, some of the surgeries he's done and talk to some of his other clients, just tell them you are looking for a vet.
         Abcesses grow where there are sinuses, or from irritation, like a bug bite that got infected and the body overreacted to the problem, A bee sting, or an irritation under the skin that again the body overreacts to.
michelyn