Melanomas whats the best treatment?

[Sally Anne Lugg]

My grey Connemara has a melanoma in his mouth and the vet said laser treatment could get rid of it. Does anyone have experience of this treatment and how invasive, problematic it is....or are there alternatives...I have been told there are drugs which delay the growth of these melanomas....?

 

[Amye]

I'm sorry i've no useful advice really. I'm following for advice as my boy has melanomas in the corner of his mouth where the bit sits. The vet has seen them and said they shouldn't cause too many problems apart from probably getting him 'on the bit', and he certainly doesn't seem uncomfortable but I am thinking of getting them seen to again as I'm sure it would be better for him for them to be gone, but don't want to put him through anything unnecessary!

 

[scats]

My old mare had loads of them- in her mouth, on her neck, girth area, dock, huge one on the side of her head and around her ear. They never caused any problems so we left them alone.

 

[planete]

My vet has advised against doing anything to the ones in my gelding's mouth. Apparently it is impossible to stitch the skin inside the mouth as it just tears and healing is complicated by the fact the area is constantly dirty. I have not queried this as the melanomas are small and the horse is retired.