Melanoma progression - help

attheponies

attheponies

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My wonderful grey mare has had melanomas since I bought her 4 years ago. I noticed in March that the ones under her dock had become much, much larger. The vet said that neither surgery nor cimetidrine were options. I have been keeping a close eye but they have increased in size, are now ulcerating and oozing black goo. She was really tucked up a week ago but now seems better in herself, is still eating well (is currently on bute) although I think poohing is becoming an issue. I have also detected other lumps under her skin. The vet is OK to keep her going a bit longer on bute but I feel it is time to pts. I have spent hours on the internet but can't find information guiding me as to the definite progression ie once ulcerating is there anyway back? I want her to go before life becomes too uncomfortable or risk colic as I am well aware there could well be others internally but I love her to bits and don't want her to go before her time.

Has anyone had melanomas at this stage that have improved?
 
Afriad not. I had my boy PTS last year from this.

His were large, then developed diarrohea which we could find no explanation for. Then within days the melanomas expanded and he could no longer pass anything. So I had to PTS there and then as he would have coliced in the next 24/48hrs.

On post mortem he had huge melanomas throughout his entire intestine.

So sorry. I know how you're feeling.
 
Thanks galaxy23, I guess I already know the answer but I'm just finding it dreadfully hard as she is only 13, looks so well in herself and is just the most perfect pony. I just need to be sure in my own mind that I'm not missing some magical cure and acting too hastily.
 
Mine really wasn't well. They got infected too at the last, so he ran temp. He was uncomfortable and laying down a lot. So decision made. Vet told me there was nothing more to be done.

He was 17.
 
well no but my pony had a huge one on the side of his dock and the vet cut it off
he now has one on his forehead and one under his mane wich i have to meaure evry 2 months and if they grow he will take them off in the winter months as he has to have 2 weeks off
they are really common in all greys and vet said not a big issue also he says there is no point taking them off older horses
 
After hours of researching about Melanoma and the treatments i found the cheapest and most successful cure. Melanoma thrives off excessive protein, carbohydrates, high sugar and starches.. i thought this would be a problem feeding my mare, but ive found a feed which suits perfectly: Dodson and Horrell - Safe and Sound.
Melanoma attacks internally aswell as externally, for internal (which can be added to feeds) Vitamin A, C and E - as it attacks the immune system. And Zinc works a dream.. this will reduce.. and if lucky kill the majority of the Melanoma from the inside out.. but to the the external Melanomas, Castor oil (with also includes zinc) will speed up the process. It sooo cheap, easy to put in feeds, and will also help the body in different ways.. i hope this has came in useful! Hope all goes well x
 
I had an old connemara mare on loan who had the biggest melanomas under her dock - so big her tail was always raised! They would ulcerate and produce pus, also attract flies and subsequent maggots if not checked and cleared all the time :( :(

However, green Dermobion was fabulous for getting rid of the ulcers and stopping the subsequent oozing. I used to slap lots on all over and it dried them up a treat. I don't know if you can still get the real stuff, which was prescription stuff but it would be worth asking your vet. I'm not sure if the stuff by the same name you see for sale contains all the original ingredients (I think it was steroid based)

If you can still get it it really does help and def stops the oozing/ulceration

The mare lived to 32 and didn't die from them by the way. She had had them for 20 years.

Anyway ask your vet, its worth a try
 
sorry to hear your mare has got to this stage :( i have a 15 yr old mare who has them under her dock, so far they don't seem to be causing problems but i am well aware that they probably will in the future and i'll be facing the same decision as you:(
Talk to your vet, they are going to give you their judgement based on what they see before them , something we can't do over the net. x
 
Rhian :) said:
After hours of researching about Melanoma and the treatments i found the cheapest and most successful cure. Melanoma thrives off excessive protein, carbohydrates, high sugar and starches.. i thought this would be a problem feeding my mare, but ive found a feed which suits perfectly: Dodson and Horrell - Safe and Sound.
Melanoma attacks internally aswell as externally, for internal (which can be added to feeds) Vitamin A, C and E - as it attacks the immune system. And Zinc works a dream.. this will reduce.. and if lucky kill the majority of the Melanoma from the inside out.. but to the the external Melanomas, Castor oil (with also includes zinc) will speed up the process. It sooo cheap, easy to put in feeds, and will also help the body in different ways.. i hope this has came in useful! Hope all goes well x
Click to expand...

where did you find this research? Melanomas are tumours.....

My boy was fed no hard feed, other than a handful of chaff and a multi vit balancer wich would have contained all of your above vits.

I'm sorry, but you've touched a raw topic for me and I don't beieve what you put above is true at all. Yes boosting their immune system will help, but could never cure a horse than has the likelihood of being riddled with tumours.
 
galaxy23 said:
where did you find this research? Melanomas are tumours.....

My boy was fed no hard feed, other than a handful of chaff and a multi vit balancer wich would have contained all of your above vits.

I'm sorry, but you've touched a raw topic for me and I don't beieve what you put above is true at all. Yes boosting their immune system will help, but could never cure a horse than has the likelihood of being riddled with tumours.
Click to expand...

I researched on the internet for hours on end as i would like my mare (who is riddled with Melanomas) to have a prolonged life. I found this information from different sources. Maybe you should try the same if you want hard evidence of this working.

It's a raw topic for anyone who has a horse with Melanoma, including me. Thats why i would like to help everyone else as ive found a solution, instead of being selfish and keeing it to myself. Sorry if i have offended you but im trying to help, i love horses with a passion and under no circumstances would i fill a horse owner with hope if it was not true at all. You asked for help and i have the right information to help. Research, and talk to your vet.. ask about how much of a difference zinc can help.
 
Rhian :) said:
I researched on the internet for hours on end as i would like my mare (who is riddled with Melanomas) to have a prolonged life. I found this information from different sources. Maybe you should try the same if you want hard evidence of this working.

It's a raw topic for anyone who has a horse with Melanoma, including me. Thats why i would like to help everyone else as ive found a solution, instead of being selfish and keeing it to myself. Sorry if i have offended you but im trying to help, i love horses with a passion and under no circumstances would i fill a horse owner with hope if it was not true at all. You asked for help and i have the right information to help. Research, and talk to your vet.. ask about how much of a difference zinc can help.
Click to expand...

I lost my horse to melanomas (internal and externally riddled). I did do extensive research as did my team of vets who were also talking to the large veterinary hospital in my area (who battled to save him for over 4 months). I have never heard of this link which is why I asked where you got the info from. If it is true (I lost my horse 2 years ago and there certainly was no cure at all then) I would pass it on. Which is why I am asking where the research is?
 
Hi everyone, was surprised today to see this thread active so I thought it would be nice to give an update a year on. My mare is still with me and still full of life, the melanomas have continued to increase in size but fortunately at a fairly slow rate and haven't been so ulcerating or oozy this summer. She is on low dose Danilon and the vets just check her out every now and again. She thoroughly enjoys going out for a hack and was so improved by September of last year that she competed in a pairs class at a local hunter trial and they were 4th. I wash her dock twice daily and use sudafed cream to discourage flies and to help keep her clean. I just see every day as a bonus so thanks everyone for all your suggestions and support.
 
attheponies I'm very glad to read that your mare is still with you and still full of life. galaxy 23 I'm very sorry about the loss of your horse to this baffling condition.

I've got a grey gelding, age 14 and this summer his (up to now) tiny melanomas under his dock grew very fast. I first noticed when he started rubbing his tail. Two were oozing, I cleaned them with hibbiscrub then covered the area with sudocreme, and they are ok now. While this was going on I researched the subject and came up with some references. Some are scientific and some not - they are just heresay - so here's the list:

http://www.miravalandalusians.com/garbosa/melanoma.htm
http://www.skinsheen.com/skin-health...meric-477.aspx
http://irish-horses.com/equine-diseases-melanomas.html
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/5/863.html
http://www.applesnoats.com/melanomas.pdf

I've also today ordered a vitamin supplement (with zinc) on the advice given above, its got to be worth a try.
 
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