Not being able to open jaw fully

[~Perdita.M~]

Not being able (apparantly) to open mouth fully to yawn for example, no wider than about an inch. Combined with a yellow discharge from nose for a couple of days. Horse fine in itself, eating, drinking, being bossy.

Anything similar or ideas?

 

[Trixie]

Would get vet out. Probably nothing, but unable to open mouth wide suggests pain in jaw and yellow nasal discharge suggests infection of some sort.

Have you checked temp? neck glands? groove in lower jaw?

I'd want vet to eliminate poss of something nasty.

 

[nutkin]

a yellow discharge is a sign of infection.As it was coming via the nose it could be sinus related but it could also be a tooth problem as he is unable to open his mouth too far.

 

[Pink's lady]

We had a horse recently with indentical symptoms. Turned out he had a septic temperomandibular (jaw) joint. He needed it flushed and anti-biotics but it got betters.

Get the vet out asap!

 

[rtk]

Very much doubt if it is but not being able to open the jaw made me think

TETANUS (Lockjaw)

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium Clostridium tetani that is found in soil and horse faeces. It enters the body by an open wound or in some cases via the intestinal tract. Even small wounds can allow Clostridium tetani contamination and, because the incubation period is as long as 7-21 days, the wound has usually healed by the time the first signs of the disease are apparent. Often owners are not even aware that their horse has received a wound, or thought it minor or of no importance and yet their horse develops tetanus. The signs of tetanus are:

Vague stiffness in the head and limbs progressing to a reluctance to move
Spasms in the muscles of the head and neck resulting in difficulty chewing, flared nostrils and a wide-eyed expression
Trembling progressing to violent, whole body spasms in response to sudden movements or noise

 

[jumper_stars]

Ah I ca feel your horses pain!! Iv not been able to open my jaw for the last year and a half... dislocted and waiting for the surgery! But taken them this long to figure out what is actually worng!
If I was you Id have it checked out, and sort pain out as it really makes you grumpy... know this from first hand experience *rolls eyes*

 

[goeslikestink]

call the vet asap its ill with infection and dont know what if its lockyaw chances are slim

 

[~Perdita.M~]

No he's ok, really! Have now seen him open jaw fully to yawn ( top teeth included) looks a little tender though, discharge is getting less and less by the day and he came cantering over full pelt today, bucking at his friend, skidding to a halt in the mud, gobbled his dinner, licked me all over etc etc Have spoken to vet and because there was a cough present and the discharge didn't smell ( yellow is ok as long as it doesnt smell apparantly!) she is happy its a viral thing and might take a while but should clear up on it's on. The yawning thing could be because it was slightly sore, or tender with the respiratory virus. I am to give him another week and watch him, just make sure it's clearing up as it should. Oh and rest. Like he does anything else