Melanomas advise

[ticobay831]

Hi there, need some advise please, I have a grey horse, he has several melanomas under his dock, the vet checked them last year and has just said to keep any eye on them as they were only small, about the size of small peas. My question is what is the best option, do I just leave them and keep an eye on them or think about getting them removed, this is only because I have read articles stating that once they get too big it can be difficult or impossible to remove them. What is too big and how ill i know when the best time is to start thinking about getting them removed, I dont want to get to the stage when its too late and i regret not getting it done sooner, such a dilema,
Would love to know peoples experiences and advise please

 

[Equi]

If the vet says to leave them and wait to see i would do that. Sometimes removing them can encourage them to grow back with vengeance and there is the risk of them being infected etc.

 

[racebuddy]

Pm u

 

[Cortez]

If your vet is advising you to leave well alone, why are you considering doing something else? I do have experience with melanoma, and have a grey horse with them now, and I would advise you to do the same thing as your vet has done. Listen to him/her.

 

[RhossT]

Ask your vet about melanoma vaccine. It is still experimental but we are getting good results. Pony would definitely not still be working and might well have had to be put down without it.

 

[ticobay831]

If your vet is advising you to leave well alone, why are you considering doing something else? I do have experience with melanoma, and have a grey horse with them now, and I would advise you to do the same thing as your vet has done. Listen to him/her.

Im not considering doing anything at the moment, i would just like to know at what stage i would need to do anything , as i dont want them to get to the stage where they are inoperable , im hoping they wont grow too mush and he wont have any problems with them, as allot dont, i guess im just stressing , hes very precious to me :-/

 

[Cortez]

Im not considering doing anything at the moment, i would just like to know at what stage i would need to do anything , as i dont want them to get to the stage where they are inoperable , im hoping they wont grow too mush and he wont have any problems with them, as allot dont, i guess im just stressing , hes very precious to me :-/

Yes, I understand - I have the same worries with my lad, who has them in his mouth and sheath. Ultimately they are what will probably end his life one way or another, but often it is best to leave them alone. Surgery is mostly not the best solution, and can make them worse. You have to be a bit zen about the whole thing and learn to accept fate.

 

[ticobay831]

Yes, I understand - I have the same worries with my lad, who has them in his mouth and sheath. Ultimately they are what will probably end his life one way or another, but often it is best to leave them alone. Surgery is mostly not the best solution, and can make them worse. You have to be a bit zen about the whole thing and learn to accept fate.

the thought of it though :-( how big are the ones your horse have if you dont mind me asking, I knew a mare that had them under her tail and they were horrendous, such a mess, they were quite big and looked really sore, the owner used to put some silver stuff on them, the mare seemed fine but they just looked a mess, id be besides myself if my boys turned out like that :-/

 

[Cortez]

the thought of it though :-( how big are the ones your horse have if you dont mind me asking, I knew a mare that had them under her tail and they were horrendous, such a mess, they were quite big and looked really sore, the owner used to put some silver stuff on them, the mare seemed fine but they just looked a mess, id be besides myself if my boys turned out like that :-/

They are not huge and have remained stable for years. I have seen some that looked horrendous, and some that bled daily, but the horses were oblivious and completely fine otherwise. They are one big downside of grey horses.

 

[ticobay831]

They are not huge and have remained stable for years. I have seen some that looked horrendous, and some that bled daily, but the horses were oblivious and completely fine otherwise. They are one big downside of grey horses.

Yes i know that, but i guess you just hope your going to be lucky, Ive never really had any experience with them before so was just wondering what to do for the best really , thank you for your advise x

 

[Marigold4]

Until recently I had a grey pony with several melanoma under her tail. We left them alone. She was 15 when the started appearing and she was recently PTS at 24. They didn't get huge. Yes, they got her in the end but only spread to cause trouble in the last year or so. She was fit, healthy and happy till then.

 

[ticobay831]

Until recently I had a grey pony with several melanoma under her tail. We left them alone. She was 15 when the started appearing and she was recently PTS at 24. They didn't get huge. Yes, they got her in the end but only spread to cause trouble in the last year or so. She was fit, healthy and happy till then.

so sorry to hear that, glad to hear she was happy. x