When a SWAN Has a Lump/Bump Under their Chin..

This CAN be more Serious then You Might Think. 

UNDER TONGUE-CHIN IMPACTION

Sublingual Entrapment
OF Coarse Roots, Grass, Mud, Stones…

    Sublingual Impaction in WaterFowl
(Under the Tongue)

General Description
Bulge Visible Externally, Under the Chin.

   To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.

 A Wad of Grass and other Things the Swan was Eating becomes Lodged
Under the Tongue in the Stretchy Chin Pouch.

A Swan’s Chin Should be FLAT.. If there is a Lump/Bulge under the Chin there
is likely some Foreign Material that has Accumulated under the Swan’s Tongue.
This Dense Lump has the Potential of becoming Large Enough to make
Eating Difficult and May Result Over Time in the Swan STARVING… to Death.

These Under Chin-Tongue Impactions can have Serious Health Impacts.

When a Bulge or Protruding Lump is Observed Under a Swan’s Chin…
. . . It NEEDs Attention.
These BIG, Hard, REALLY Bulging Wads NEED to be Removed.

Our Experience with the Feral-Wild Swans is Limited.
But, NONE of these Swans had Under-Chin-Tongue Impactions.
The Difference – They are NOT Grazing on Short Lawn Grass.

As we have been Out and About Visiting with Swans and their Owners, 
We have Observed Swans with these Bulges Under their Chins.

Some of the Swan Owners Thought this was a Tumor..
and there was Nothing they would be able to do..

It is NOT a Growth,
but a Collection of Tough Grass Roots, Dirt, Sand, Small Twigs..etc.
Sadly, this May have a Tragic Outcome,
IF the Wad of Junk/Grass Under the Tongue is not Removed.

Some Swans are Prone to this and it becomes a Chronic Problem for them. 
Ingesting DRY Fibrous Foods (Short Grass) may be a Major Predisposing Factor
for Sublinqual Impactions to Form.

Some Swans only Need Help Once in a Great while to Remove this “Stuff.”
It is Simple to Lift OUT, Once you have the Swan in your Hands.

If you Remove the “Wad” of Material when the Bulge Under the Chin is Small,
the Skin will NOT Stretch into a Loose Pouch Under the Chin.

Under Tongue Impactions may occur in both Captive and Wild (???) Swans..  
This is Easily Visible… A Bulging Pocket under the Chin.

The Following SWAN Species seem Prone:
Cygnus olor – Mute Swans and their Cygnets
Cygnus atratus – Black Australian Swans and their Cygnets

Now she had a Patch of Longer Grass to Graze on… Doing Better.

The Chin of a Swan should be FLAT…

Some Breeds of Geese with Dewlap are also Prone to Impactions.

The Swan Below has a Huge, Tight Impaction..
Her Chin Should look like the Edited Image on the Right.
Her Knob is Flat – She was Unable to Eat Normally.
With a Team of Helpers we were Able to Remove this Impaction.

I have Observed some Swans Swinging their Heads with their Beak Open
TRYING to get this Material OUT ! !

The Male Swans below were Living on a Country Golf Course.
Grazing on SHORT CUT GRASS.

This is a WAD of Material from Under a Swan’s Tongue.. the Impaction.
The Quarter is for Size Comparison.. Not in the Impaction.

Common Item in the Impaction:

The “STUFF” can be Lots of Things Found in your Swans’ World.

Fibrous Grass, Small Roots, Twigs, Fragments of Leaves, Feed, Sand,
Soil, Mud, Gravel, Animal Hair, Feather Fibers, String,
Stiff Floating Pine Needles, etc, etc, etc.     Almost Anything.

There seems to be an Increased Incidence of this when Swans are Eating Feed,
Plant Material, Grasses and Soil without Water.

*** TOUGH GRASS THATCH

The IMPACTION LUMP is Frequently a Wad of Tough Grass Fiber.

Swans Enjoy Grazing on Tender Lawn Grass Blades.
Grass is a Fiber Plant which Aids their Digestion.
Grass is Helpful to Balance the High Protein Value of Commercial Poultry Feeds.

Swans Living by a Lawn where the Grass is CUT SHORT will Pick at the Grass
Pulling Up the Tougher Parts of the Grass close to the Ground – the Thatch.

Thatch is a Layer of Grass Stems, Roots, Clippings, and Debris that Settle
on the Ground and either Slowly Decompose and/or Accumulate over time.
Thatch Build-up is Commonly Found in Lawns where Grass has been
Cut Short and the Mulch is Left.

*** LETHAL PINE NEEDLES

Many Ponds and Lakes are Lined with Pine Trees.

When kept in an Environment where there are Pine Needles on the Water
Swans can get these Needles in their Mouth while Eating and Drinking.

The Needles can get Stuck under their Tongues.
This may Never Happen – Just be Aware.

The Very Stiff Needles may cause Pain, make Eating Difficult.
Swans may Slowly Die of Starvation

*** MAMMAL HAIR

Some Impactions I have Removed were Mostly Hair.
Likely from Dogs or Cats or some other Animal that was Shedding in
an Area where the Swans were Grazing.

Swan will often Graze in the Same Pastures as the Horses..

I have found Pieces of Feathers, String, ….

This “Plug of Junk” under the Tongue can Result in Increasing Difficulty
Eating and Drinking.  And Eventually Pressure Necrosis.

The Swan Affected may Slowly Starve.. Weaken and Die..   (Severely Under Weight)

Common Visual Signs include Difficulty Swallowing,
Ventral Intermandibular Swelling and Chronic to Severe Impactions.
The Swan below has the Severe Signs..  His Cheeks are Swollen.

One Sign the Swan is in TROUBLE is when a Mature Mute Swan has a Flat Knob.
 This is a Visual Sign that the Swan is Under Weight.. Having Difficulty Eating.

The Impaction below is a Collection of Roots, Mud, Small Stones, Grass Blades
and a few Clover Stems. You can not see the SMELL.
The Coins are to Show the Size of the Wad..

This Lodged Material will Slowly Ferment, ROT, Support Nasty Bacteria
and the Poor Swan will have this Smelly Material Squishing in its Mouth/Beak
each Time it tries to Eat or Drink.. YUCK !!

Over Time the Rotting Material may Break-Down and Invade the Underside
of the Tongue or the Chin Tissues.
This will Result in an Infection of the Mouth Tissues..
Causing Tissue Pressure Necrosis. > > > NOT GOOD…

At this Stage the Swans will Definitely Need Veterinary Help.. likely Surgery..      
Weeks of Recovery with Antibiotics. (More Near End of Page)

From BackYard Poultry Medicine and Surgery
A Guide for Veterinary Practitioners Page 228/229
Edited by Cheryl B.Greenacre and Teresa Y.Morishita

While Eating Foods that Accumulates Lateral to the Frenulum Beneath
the Tongue Collecting into an Impaction.

Frenulum of Tongue – Wikipedia.
The Frenulum of Tongue or Tongue Web is a Small Fold of Mucous Membrane
Extending from the Floor of the Mouth to the Midline of
the Underside of the Tongue.

In Early Cases, the Beak can be Opened and the Material Simply Pulled Out.

The Coins were NOT in the Impaction. – Just to Compare the Size.

DO YOUR BEST to Remove these Impactions when you see them
and whenever it Reoccurs to Reduce Risk of Permanent Dilatation under the Tongue. 
If the Impaction is left, or frequently Reoccurs, Surgery may be needed to Remove
the Loose Stretched Skin that Fills with Debris Easily.

Same Cob as Above.

Same Cob as Above.

The BIGGEST most Challenging Thing you NEED to do is Catch the Swan.
 If you can Walk your Swan into a Fenced Area and/or Catch/Net the Swan on Land..
 that is the Easiest for EVERYOne ! !

Trying to Catch Swans on their Water is a REAL Challenge.

Yes, Catching a Swan on Water is the Most Challenging.
Be Sure You Follow Proper Safety Rules..  LIFE Jackets.

The Goal is to Keep the Swans MOVING to Tire them.

   One or *Two or *Three People in Quick Moving Kayaks HELPS! 
Some Swans can be SLOWLY Guided off the Water.

Having Two or Three or Four People Around the Pond is Very Helpful…
You will Need People to Net or Catch the Swans as they Leave the Water.

Minimize Shouting as Much as Possible.. Avoid Scaring the Swans.

Canoes and Row Boats are TOO Slow to Tire the Swans. 

Once the Swan is Tired, they will Generally Go to Land and Get Out.

 Several Helpers Ready to Net and Calm to Swan..

One to Hold the Swan and Another to Remove the Impacted Material.

We Want to SEE a Flat Chin – NOT a Flat Knob ! !

While you have your Swan, do a Quick Check of their Feet and Tongue Color.

If Possible Weigh the Swans or Check their Keel Bone to Estimate Weight.

You WANT Your Swans to have FLAT Chins… 

It is EASY Once You have Hold of Your Swan. 

Swans have VERY Little Bite Pressure – Gently Open the Beak.

Either Lift the Nail or Apply a Little Pressure to Both Sides of the Jaw Hinge.

Gently PUSH UP Under the Chin.. the Material from under the Tongue.  
 Sweep it OUT.. (I use my Fingers and Wash Later.)
It is TOO Risky to use Metal Tweezers – the Swan Will NOT Hold Still.

Cotton Swabs will Help, if you are Prepared..
to Get Behind and Under the Ball of Tangled Fibers..and Dirt.. 

Especially, if the Impaction is Very Larger or Just Small.. 
The Young Cygnet Above is Growing, Munching on Grass and has Started
a Probable Pouch of Material Under its Chin..  It is Small, Worth Watching.

It Might Clear as the Cygnet Eats and Drinks Out on the Pond/Lake it Lives on.. 
Keep a Close Watch.  Be Prepared to Help. 

A Young Cygnet has a Much Smaller Mouth.. a Cotton Swab would be Useful.
Trying to get your Fingers in to Remove might be a Challenge..
and a Q-Tip will be Less Dramatic for the Little Ones.

Once you Remove the Debris – Check that there is Nothing Left under the Tongue.

Check the Tongue Color..  It should be a Nice Baby Pink..

If there is any Tissue Damage or Ulcerations on the Tongue
or the Skin Pouch Under the Tongue..  This can be Serious…
Check with your Avian Veterinarian for Further Treatment Advice.

It is Recommended to Prevent Swans from Grass Grazing for 7-10 Days following
Removal of Simple Impactions.. This Time Away from Coarser Food hopefully
gives the Sublinqual “Pouch” Time to Return to Normal Size.

If you have a Chance to Keep the Swan from Eating Short Cut Grass for a while
after you Remove a WAD.. this may give the Stretched “Pouch” Time to Return to Normal..

Giving Lots of Lettuce or Soft Vegetable Foods on the Pond Water
may Help Reduce the Risk of Re-Impaction..

ALSO Very Helpful… Try NOT to Cut the Swans’ Grazing Area Very Short…

Swans Enjoy Grazing on Tender Grass Blades..
They Need the Vegetation/Plant Material for their Digestive System..

Swans Benefit from the Insects in Grassy Places.
( Crunchy Munchies )

Consider Alternating the Grass Area you Cut into Three Parts.
Cut One Area this Week.. Leave the Other Two Areas Grow..

Then Next Week Cut the Longest, Shaggy Area.. leaving the Other Two..
Rotate so there are some Grassy Areas with Longer Tender New Growth..

AS Time Goes By – And We Meet and Visit More Swans and their Owners..
We SEE more Swans with Under Tongue Impactions..

THIS is a VERY Common Problem with Captive Swans..
Many People who Care for Swans are UnAware..
This Junk may Collect in a matter of Weeks to Months.

This is Fairly Easy to Correct.  These Swans are Uncomfortable.
The Rotting Material Under their Tongue makes Eating Difficult and Nasty..
 This can Lead to Tissue Destruction Under the Tongue.
Infection, Wasting, Starvation to Death.  HELP Your Swans.

REMOVE SUBINGUAL – Under Tongue Impactions..

More Examples….     WE Helped Removed these….

This Older Cob has had Impactions Removed Several Times.

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We Found this Young Female with a Large Impaction.
We Helped the Owner Remove this..

This Photo was Shared after this Pen had Died. Cause Unknown..
She has a Large Impaction and a Flat Knob !
  The Owners had no Idea this was Abnormal.. 

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This Poor Cob was Struggling to Swallow with his LARGE Impaction.

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This Swan with the Large Impaction Under the Tongue.
The Knob is VERY Flat..  This Swan is Starving..

We were Able to Catch and Remove the Impaction.

This Swan has a Reoccurring Impaction Problem. It has Reformed.
He Looks so Thin..

I Tossed Lettuce and Floating Pellets into the Water…
This Cob did Not Try to Eat Any. He just Swam Away.

We were Helpless to Help. The Owners did not Care.
This Swan is Starving.

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The Swan below had his Impactions Reoccur Over and Over..
As long as the Junk was removed when Needed, he did OK.
But, the Man who Cared for him Retired from the Golf Course.
No One Continued to Care for the Cob’s Obstructing Impaction.
The Mute Cob Died at the Age of ca. 10 Years Old.   So Sad..

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ANOTHER SCARY IMPACTION – THE Largest I have Encountered.

 Young Swans were Purchased for a Town House Complex Pond.
The Management wanted to have the Swans for the Pleasure of their Community. 
The Management did Not have Experience Caring for Swans. 
This Impaction was HUGE when this Young Swan Arrived. 
The Person who Raised these Swans was Responsible for the Impactions. 
It is NOT Difficult to SEE there is Something Wrong Under his Chin.

 On a Dark Rainy Evening I had the “Opportunity” to Remove this
Tightly Packed Wad of Mud, Grass and Small Stones. 
I was Worried that I might Split the Skin Open, it was Stretched so Tight. 
Normally, I would Push-Up the Skin Under the Chin to Move the Material UP
Under the Tongue and Lift it OUT.   This Time I Opened his Mouth and Pinched
the Wad to Tug it OUT from Inside his Mouth.. 
I did not want to Stress the Skin Under his Chin. 

SUCCESS..  It was Packed IN TIGHT !     Poor Swan  (Young Cygnet)

 I Measured the Wad of Material before I Pulled it Apart..
I Usually Compare the Impaction Material with Coins.. THIS IS AN EGG.

When I Pulled this Huge Wad Apart.. the Smell was NASTY !

The Companion – Future Mate also had a Medium Impaction.

Thanks to a Willingness to Learn, the Management is now Caring
for their Swans’ Impactions and they will be Happier & Healthier Swans.

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The Mature Male Swan below was Rescued by Folks just Learning about Swans. 
By Using this Topic Page.. his Impaction is OUT and he is Loved.
YEAH TEAM !!!
         And Another Swans is Helped…  Thanks.. 

His Chin Looks MUCH Better with this Wad of Muddy Fibers OUT !

************************************************************************

From Far, Far Away..  (In the United Kingdom) Help is ON the Way !!
A Visiting Friend of this Swan.. Read this Topic Page..
AND HELPED !!   THANK YOU !! 

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A Young Black Australian Cygnet in New Zealand..

Another Friend of Swans Removes a Wad of Plant Fibers.

Two Weeks Later….
The Same Cygnet is Grazing on SHORT Cut Lawn Grass.

Two Weeks Later….
The Same Cygnet is Grazing on SHORT Cut Lawn Grass.

Two Week Later… Checked and Helped as Needed. 
This Young Cygnet has Collected Material Under its Tongue Over and Over.. 
This Cygnet has Easy Access to Very Short Cut Grass.

The Cygnet Seemed to Know this Swan Friend would Help.
This Cygnet has a Chronic Problem and will Need to be Watched Closely.. 

 The Swans Below are in a Public Lake.  They Graze on the Short Grass.

When Adopting a New Male.. he Came with an Impaction.. 



That Curious Lump ??  It is SOMETHING to Remove !!!



Along the Way… Another Swan Owner Asked about the “LUMP ! “
  It was SOOooo Stretched..  “Remove VERY Gently !” 



 >>>> YES, it is ALL OUT !!!!



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FEED Your Swans in the Water as MUCH as Possible.  

Eating their Foods With and IN the Water will Reduce this Problem.

   YOUR SWANS will be Healthier with a FLAT CHIN.. 

Some, a Few of these Impactions will Over Time Breakdown and Go Away.

But, MOST will Continue to Collect as the Swan Eats.
As the Impaction gets Larger, the Swan will have More and More Trouble Swallowing.
First, Food becomes Hard to Swallow, then even Drinking is Difficult.
These Suffering Swans will Slowly, Eventually Starve and Die.

As the “Junk” Decays, it is FULL of Bacteria that Tastes Terrible.
Every Time the Swans tries to Eat,
the Nasty Juice becomes Part of what they are Tasting.
They will Eat Less and Less.

Depending on how the Lump Decays, it can Rot the Tender Tissues Under the Tongue.
The Swan’s Future is now in Peril..

Few People are Willing or Able to have this Tissue Damage Surgically Corrected.

With Chronic Cases, an Intermandibular “Pocket” forms, Requiring Removal of
the Food and Surgical Resection of the Stretched Tissue..

The Bulk of the Impaction can be Removed Manually..
If the Mass is Large and Chronic..
It may cause Local *Oral Mucosal Necrosis and *Subcutaneous Food Invasion.

( I have Never Known of any Swans having Surgery for this. )
It is BEST to Avoid getting to this Stage.

Surgical Correction: A Ventral Intermandibular Approach is made
and All Remaining Food and Necrotic Tissue is Removed.

With or Without Subcutaneous Food Invasion, the Excess Sublingual “Pouch”
is Resected on either Side of the Frenulum (one or both sides may be stretched)
and Sutured Closed in a Simple Interrupted and Continuous Pattern.

The Goal is to Decrease the Potential Space to Prevent Future Impactions.

If the Subcutaneous Tissue is Infected and Cannot be Completely Removed,
further Surgical Correction may be necessary and Antibiotics may be Required..

Post-Surgery: Dry Fibrous Foods are AVOIDED.
Provide Access to Natural Pond Grasses (Swans)
OR Grass Prepared in a Food Processor.. OR Soggy Wet Pellets.

These are Intended to be Short Term Options.

The Swan’s Owners should Periodically Inspect the Oral Cavity
for Signs of Impactions for up to 3 Weeks Post-Surgery
and when Dry and Coarse Foods may Increase Risk of Re-Impaction.

If you have ANY Question about Removing an Impaction..
Get IN TOUCH !

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This is a Work in Progress… Updated along the Way..
Information Compiled by (C) Linda M.Sweger   Updated  JULY 2023
Thanks to the Swan Folks who have Shared Photo Images. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

A Healthy Knob and a Flat Chin.. Lovely !