Storey's Guide to Raising Horses: Breeding, Care, Facilities by Heather Smith Thomas

Author:Heather Smith Thomas [Thomas, Heather Smith]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Animal Husbandry, Technology & Engineering, Nature, Pets, Horses, Animals, General, Agriculture
ISBN: 9781603426879
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Published: 2009-01-02T07:00:00+00:00

Horse’s muzzle covered with small warts

Sarcoid Tumors

Sarcoids are also caused by a virus. Some horses develop them following an injury or break in the skin; others for no apparent reason. The tumor first looks like proud flesh (excessive granulation tissue that protrudes from a healing wound; see chapter 16) but continues to grow, producing a problem that may ultimately threaten the horse’s usefulness.

Sarcoid tumors do not travel through the bloodstream or lymph system to other parts of the body, but they do continue to spread and grow locally. They are moderately malignant in that they usually grow back if removed — often in a larger form. If not removed early, a tumor may become so large that it disables the horse. Because removal often stimulates regrowth, some veterinarians leave small, nongrowing sarcoids alone.

At first, a sarcoid is hard to differentiate from proud flesh. The virus attacks young fibrous cells in the proud flesh and causes them to multiply rapidly. This excessive growth cannot be controlled by medications used to control proud flesh. Wounds in areas where there is motion (joints or moving parts on the legs) seem most susceptible to sarcoid tumors. The growth is usually mushroom shaped; the base of the attachment is generally smaller than the outer surface. Wounds that are not properly treated to prevent contamination, irritation, and delayed healing are quite susceptible to sarcoid.

Treatment

Sarcoids can sometimes be successfully removed with surgery, followed first by cauterization of the area to control bleeding and kill stray tumor cells, and then by radiation treatment. The area is kept clean and bandaged while it heals. Other removal techniques include freezing and burning. About 50 percent of them will grow back, however, so other treatments are often tried.

A vaccine made from the tumors has also been effective in stimulating the immune system to build its own defense. The treated tumors usually shrink and eventually dry up and fall off. The vaccine doesn’t always work, but it is one of the most effective treatments available and rarely leaves blemishes.

Yet another treatment involves use of Aldara cream that contains a drug (imiquimod) that fights the virus by stimulating the body’s immune system. This is a human prescription drug that your veterinarian can prescribe for your horse, to be applied three times a week for several months until the tumor shrinks and disappears.

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