Melanoma bursting?

[Dogstar]

My 22 year old mare has had bad melanomas for years. The one under her tail has been growing quite steadily, but this year it has done something quite odd; namely to swell like an abscess then pop, discharging reasonable amounts of dark fluid (old blood I assume?). The first eruption drained for a week or two then healed. The second one has been draining for weeks but is gradually healing. A third one has just burst and is again draining. The mare seems quite happy and normal in herself! I am not especially worried as the horse is otherwise well and the wounds are draining, but have not heard of melanomas doing this before- it is common? Thanks

 

[Nari]

Many years ago this starting happening to my old pony's melanomas. We had the vet look but all they could advise was keep it clean, though it may be that more could be done now. Sadly for him it wasn't long after that he started having problems with internal melanomas too, I hope this isn't the case with your mare

 

[weebarney]

My friends horse has melanomas that leak. The dark fluid i believe is Melanin.

 

[Dogstar]

Ah that is interesting many thanks, I hadn't heard of this before though I had heard of melanomas haemorrhaging.. I have had a previous horse PTS with suspected internal melanomas, so I am quite resigned to a major issue soon which is sad as I have owned her for over 18 years. I can see ripples under her skin which the previous mare had too, so it won't come as a surprise. She has done very well considering how massive they are. Thanks again.