Melanoma advice

[Ernie2001]

Hello

Bit of a long one so thank you for reading..!

My 11 year old gelding had a melanoma (we believe it to be) appear to the right of his anus back in April. The vets advise we de bulk it due to its location and quick growth. Unfortunately once in they were unable to remove the whole thing but de bulked approximately a tennis balls size lump out.
The recovery went well but about a month later I notice the lump reappearing at an alarming rate. The vets came back out and confirmed it was a solid mass so likely to be the tumour back. It is now large enough that it pushes his tail right over and has spread under to his sheath (not connected externally but the same texture of lump etc on his sheath)
It hasn’t ulcerated and so far hasn’t been an issue in that respect however I feel my boy is lacking energy and has lost a lot of muscle. I’m worried how it’s affecting him internally and whether it is causing pain. He was initially on bute but myself and the vet felt this wasn’t making any difference.

just wondering if anyone else has had previous experience and if there’s anything I could give him or do to help him.
Thanks

have attached a couple of pictures

 

[AmyMay]

Have you spoken to your vet about prognosis? I would probably be looking at calling time I’m afraid.

 

[Ernie2001]

Have you spoken to your vet about prognosis? I would probably be looking at calling time I’m afraid.

yes have spoken with vet. He advised to make the most of the time we have and was happy for him to be ridden still. It’s such a hard decision to make without knowing how much of an effect it’s having.

 

[AmyMay]

yes have spoken with vet. He advised to make the most of the time we have and was happy for him to be ridden still. It’s such a hard decision to make without knowing how much of an effect it’s having.

You’ve already described the affects it’s having. Dropping muscle, lacking energy.

Tough times .

 

[PapaverFollis]

I suspect with the weight loss and the size and spread of the tumour that he's probably got something going on internally already and is probably already in some pain. If he was mine I'd be booking for him to be PTS sooner rather than later. I'm sorry, I lost mine to a colic that was probably melanoma based and I wouldnt wish it on anyone. She went tired about a month or two before it happened. I thought she was just winding down for winter and perhaps feeling her arthritis more.

I'm sorry you're going through this. X

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I'm sorry to say that I'd PTS sooner rather than later.


I've seen melanomas take out a few horses. Mostly due to the owners taking too long to PTS and it was not pretty. One had them by his anus, sheath, and underside (and of course who knows what was going on internally where we could not see). It then prevented him from going poo or pee and the poor guy died a most painful death.

When they start losing condition and energy, it most certainly is having an effect on them.

 

[Meredith Brouillette]

I agree with a rest, Mlenaomas can be quite nasty, and he doesn't seem in much of the shape as you mentioned. Be sure to have a long talk with your vet, but fro I have heard, it doesn't end well

 

[mossycup]

I'm so sorry but yes, I'd be calling the vet and giving him a lovely day in the sunshine tomorrow before saying goodbye - it sounds like it's a vicious melanoma and for it to be that size and still not get it all, it will undoubtedly have spread elsewhere.

 

[ycbm]

I'm really sorry, but I have to add my voice to the others and say that I think his time has come, before he fades any more.
.

 

[View]

This is easy for us to say because he is not ours.

But for me, quality of life not quantity. I strongly believe that as owners we must be their advocate and ensure that they do not suffer. For me, this is the time when we step up and perform that final act of kindness by letting them go in peace and with dignity.

So sorry that you and your much loved friend are going through this.