more lumps :(

[noblesteed]

My 13 year old grey andy x connie has 2 lumps under his tail, has had them about 3 years. Just noticed they have grown this spring - pea-sized now. Tonight I found one on his sheath about the size of a large pea And he has sprung one on his face this spring
Sometimes he gets the odd one that vanishes mysteriously but none as big as these

Wondering if something triggers them all to grow at the same time? And would it be worth treating or trying to prevent with sarc-ex or something? Any other experiences? Thanks.

 

[jeeve]

You could have a vet check it out. A large % of grey horses get cancers during their life. Horse cancers can be slow growing and not have much of an impact on them. i am not sure what treatments are available. My grey mare has lumps under her tail, they have not changed noticeably in the last 5 years. However, i have friends with grey ponies that both were riddled with cancers internally & died. One was 30 years old (but still competing/active), and the other was only 13 years old - presented as colic. Below is an extract from website re a study on grey horses.

Cancer is a relatively rare phenomenon in horses, yet it is estimated that 80% of grey horses develop melanoma during their lifetime. The disease typically manifests as small nodules on the skin- most commonly on the tail, perineum (around the anus), sheath, and/or throatlatch (see images). During the early stages of the disease, these masses are generally small and slow-growing; however, in later stages the masses may grow rapidly and cause complications. Additionally, some horses develop visceral disease, in which the cancer may spread to the bones, muscles, gastrointestinal tract or other internal organs. Traditional therapies are largely ineffective for horses with large, infiltrative masses or those with visceral disease.

Melanoma in horses is poorly understood. The cause is unknown, as are the factors that influence disease progression. Owners of horses with melanoma are often left with unanswered questions and limited options for treatment.

 

[sarahann1]

Sounds like they are melanomas, your vet will be able to identify them properly though. They sound dramatic but lots of horses get them and have no bother. My 25 year old has them and tonight is the first time I've been given any cause to worry about them. He more than likely has one in his throat and its getting bigger, but that said 25 and no bother until now is pretty good.

 

[MissChaos]

Just to reiterate others' points - please do not put anything on them until they've been seen by a vet. Trying assorted treatments at home without diagnosis or vet assistance could potentially make them worse. Good luck.

 

[noblesteed]

Cheers guys. I have had them looked at in the past but vet said don't worry, lots of greys have them... but just concerned that they have grown recently. I will keep and eye and if they grow more have the vet, though not much the vet can do really. I just panicked a bit last night because my friend lost her 15 year-old grey arab to mammary cancer, she had lumps elsewhere too.
Just wondered if anyone had given anything like sarc-ex (which is herbal), and had any decent results with it?

 

[undertheweather]

I always thought to not feed anything, don't rub them with anything, and don't do things specifically to increase the blood supply in the area e.g. massage and magnets as it can cause them to spread.

Leave well alone. Aggrivating them can make them more agressive.