Melanomas- help with sudden changes

TheMule

TheMule

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My grey has had melanomas under his tail for about 4 years (he's 23)
Just the last few weeks they've been growing a bit and I've become a bit concerned that they're affects ng his ability to pass droppings without straining. I've been checking their progress every couple of days and today I lifted his tail and found one has grown massively (5 times the size in 2 days) and has shed it's covering. It is a little weepy and sore and I don't like how it's pushing his anus to the side.
The vet will be coming on Monday but I'm looking for any rays of hope.....

image_zpsua4d6h3d.jpeg
 
I have known two horses with far bigger melanomas than this and they went on for years and years - the owners made sure that their diet kept their droppings loose.

Don't panic until your Vet has seen him.
 
Thanks. I think it's the rate of rapid growth that is worrying me the most as normally they are very slow growing. I'm worried it has turned malignant which is why it's growing
 
My horse has had them there too not as big as that but has had 2x surgery to remove them also had one internally in his rectum to remove them too
 
There is a new treatment out which is showing promise, but it is pricey. A friend of mine has been on the trials from Leahurst with good results. Ask your vet about it when he/she comes.
 
Durhamgirl said:
very interested to hear more about this please. Is it the vaccine?
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Yes, as far as I know. My youngster was having laser treatment at Weipers (Glasgow Uni) last October and Prof Knottenbelt was talking to me about it. The friend whose horse is currently being treated is being attended to through Leahurst (Liverpool Uni). I'm not sure of the specifics but there is a first course of treatment I think, and then follow up injections at perhaps 6 month intervals. I don't think it is cheap but from what I hear it seems to be successful in shrinking the melanomas. Not even sure if it's widely available yet, but I think it may be.
 
That's good to know. I spoke to my vet about the vaccine last year but got the impression that the results were not that impressive. Your comments sound promising though...especially if Prof K is talking about it too 😊 wouldn't it just be amazing if there was a cure! My mare has had several melanoma removal surgeries already and she's only 11 😢
 
I have been offered the vaccine for my boy had 3 surgery in less than 6 months / including rectal sx too / obv we have to pay for vaccine at £1600 with no promise of it working
 
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