abscess on 2 year old

Question
I have a 2 year old warmblood cross filly. She first presented with an abscess under her jaw last summer. At the time there was a strangles outbreak in the area, so I was concerned that it might be strangles. However, she showed no other symptoms and the abscess eventually cleared up. It has now reappeared in the same place. Do you have any ideas as to what it might be and what can I do to heal it.

Answer
Hi Mariana,  My suggestion is to have a vet look at it, being that there was a strangles outbreak the first time.  Also, if it isn't strangles she likely could have something up in there that is causing it to keep abscessing.  A vet could open it up and see if there is anything in there, or you may have to have it x-rayed.  I had a horse who had stuck a little stick up into his jaw and chipped a little part of the jaw bone.  The chip was floating around causing irritation so it ultimately had to come out.  Your horse may not have a chipped jaw bone but anything that could get in there would cause it to abscess.  It wouldn't hurt to put her on antibiotics also being an abscess is infection.  Hope this helps, Jessica